रसकेलि दासी (Rasakeli dasi), जिनका क़ानूनी नाम आरती सक्सेना (Arti Saxena) है, के मामले में ISKCON के Central Office of Child Protection (केंद्रीय बाल संरक्षण कार्यालय) का आधिकारिक निर्णय (Official Decision), 3 जुलाई 2021 को संपन्न

ISKCON®
                              International Child Protection Office

                                               UK
                                Email: iskconukcpo@qmail.com




                                    CONFIDENTIAL


                Official Decision on the case of Rasakeli dasi (Arti Saxena)


This decision concluded on July 3, 2021, was rendered in accordance with the
guidelines for arbitrating cases of alleged child abuse established by the ISKCON
Child Protection Policy and Operational Guidelines, (‘Guidelines’) ratified by the
ISKCON Governing Body Commission June of 2012.                    This finding is the Official
Decision of the ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection (ICOCP) in the case of
Rasakeli dasi. For purposes of identification, Rasakeli dasi, aka Arti Saxena, is an
initiated disciple of Radhanath Swami, currently living in Dallas, Texas, United
States.

This decision defines the parameters of the relationship of Rasakeli dasi with
ISKCON.     The ICOCP advises child abuse victims, their parents, and all members of
the ISKCON to report allegations of child abuse to governmental social service/ law
enforcement authorities.     Also, the ICOCP advises all members of ISKCON to learn
and follow their local laws regarding child abuse and mandated reporting of child
abuse.

There are allegations of verbal/emotional abuse and neglect against [IRR
WM that occurred throughout 2016-2018.                      According to the ISKCON Child
Protection Policy and Operational Guidelines, abuse is defined as:

NEGLECT-An act of omission (failure to do) where the parent or caretaker fails to
provide for the child’s basic needs and proper level of care to support the child’s
health or development.



PSYCHOLOGICAL / EMOTIONAL ABUSE - is the persistent emotional ill-treatment of
a child such as to cause severe and lasting adverse effects on the child’s emotional
development. It is a repeated pattern of behavior that conveys to the child that
they are worthless, flawed, unwanted, unloved, or only of value to meet another
person's needs. This verbal battering seriously erodes and damages the child's self-
esteem and sense of worth as a person.




         Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

                                    ISKCON®



Evidence:

-   EERE own descriptions and narrative of experienced abuse/neglect
    as reported to his parents,       other community members and            his clinical
    psychotherapist.

    Witnesses’ statements confirming that Rasakeli dasi did prevent
    from using the water fountain at school on multiple occasions.

    Statements from other parents of former students of Rasakeli dasi’s, whose
    reports bear similar details to those of MJ
                                              and his parents.

    Statements from witnesses suggesting that Rasakeli dasi was unable to
    provide   an     emotionally   nourishing   environment    with   some    students,
    including having an overly “authoritarian” approach, and being unwilling to
    adapt her teaching/discipline style to the needs of students, parents or
    school policy.

    EE clinical psychotherapist opining that EE symptoms
    are consistent with those of a child who has experienced emotional abuse.




The ICOCP has received 7 additional statements from victims/witnesses regarding
child abuse allegations against Rasakeli dasi.      The reported incidents involved
young children under her tutelage in her classroom or afternoon school care. The
victims were males and females.




The alleged incident(s) took place in the United States, in the Dallas Hare Krsna
community. At the time of the alleged incident/s, Rasakeli dasi was a teacher at
TKG Academy, where I                 attended school.

The allegations against Rasakeli dasi are as follows: (list allegations)

    1. Rasakeli      regularly spurned   and    scolded QM including               using
       derogatory terms to refer to the victim, yelling at him and making him sit at
       the “dummy table”.




       Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

                                       ISKCON®
   2. Denying HMMM access to basic hygiene and health facilities such as
         drinking from the water fountain or using the bathroom at school.

   3. Denying EE emotional                       responsiveness,     including withholding
         warmth or affection appropriate to the educational setting, as well as
         imposing developmentally inappropriate expectations beyond the victim’s
         capabilities.




This review panel has considered all the information at its disposal and has come
to the following decision based on the nature and extent of the acts and the
repeated occasions of verbal abuse/neglect, as well the impact of the abuse and
neglect on the victim.




Conclusion:

Based on the evidence presented, the Review Panel found it more likely than not
that_Rasakeli_dasi is responsible for child neglect and verbal/emotional abuse.
This is an ecclesiastic decision that defines the relationship between Rasakeli_dasi
and ISKCON.




Requirements:

    1,       Rasakeli    dasi   must   receive   a   psychological   evaluation,   including
    assessment of risk to children, by someone approved by the CPO and submit
    the outcome of the evaluation to the CPO if she wishes to be engaged in any
    authoritative or leadership position involving children.               This includes in-
    person or online activities.


    2.    Rasakeli dasi must receive       therapy/counselling and other personal or
    professional     development       requirements    based   on    the   outcomes   of   the
    evaluation and submit documentation to the CPO to verify that this has been
    done, as well as provide progress reports during this time if she wishes to be
    engaged in any authoritative or leadership position involving children.


Restrictions:


    3.           Rasakeli dasi may not hold any visible position of leadership or
    management for a period of 2 years - thereafter it will be subject to review



         Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

                                                ISKCON®
       of the CPO. Visible leadership or management includes (but is not exclusive
       to):


                               giving class or leading kirtana/harinama in any ISKCON temple
                      or project for a period of 2 years.


                      :              performing brahminical services/public worship such as,
                      offering      arati,   going    on   the   altar,   offering a   garland   to    Srila
                      Prabhupada, etc for a period of 2 years.



      4.    Asa      lifetime restriction, Rasakeli shall not have service involving children in
    any ISKCON temple, school or project subject to point 1 above. Children are
    defined as             anyone under 18 years of age.

       5.         Rasakeli dasi may not be present if victims or their family members are
       present at an ISKCON center or function for a period of 2 years.

       6.         Other(s)
       It is strongly suggested by the panel that Rasakeli dasi write a letter of
       apology to the victim and the TKG Academy/ Dallas community for her
       behavior whilst in a position of being a carer for young children. If she does
       write this, that should be sent to the CPO for delivery to the community at
       an appropriate time. Rasakeli dasi should not contact the victim directly.




The        lifting    of    these   sanctions    is   subject    to   full   compliance   of   the    above
requirements and restrictions.

Any violation of the above may result in continuation of sanctions, dependent on
the determination of the ICOCP Director.




Standard CPO Policies




Restriction Policy: The decision of the panel constitutes the minimum restrictions that an ISKCON
organization must enforce.          Any specific ISKCON center may choose to enforce restrictions that are
more stringent. It is expected that all ISKCON entities will carefully consider these decisions of the




            Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

                                        ISKCON®
CPO before imposing more stringent limitations, as the constraints prescribed herein are deemed
sufficient.




Appeals: According to the ‘Guidelines’, in cases where allegations are determined to be valid, the
Official Decision may be appealed to the Child Protection Office within 60 days of receipt of the
decision. It must be submitted in writing to the CPO Director. The only two principles that an
appeal may be accepted are 1) if procedures in the original review prevented a fair and impartial
hearing, or 2) if there is new and compelling additional evidence. The official decision described in
this document is effective immediately. Should s/he choose to appeal this decision the individual
named must abide by the original decision during the appeal process.




Note: Write if, when, where this case was reported to law enforcement.

Case was reported to local Dallas Child Protective Services (CPS). No further action was taken by
CPS once they determined that Rasakeli was no longer teaching at TKG Academy, and [
was no longer under Rasakeli’s care.




        Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada