Официальное решение Central Office of Child Protection (Центральный отдел защиты детей) ISKCON по делу Гаури даса (Gauri das), вынесенное 1 июля 2008 года

ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection
                              P.O. Box 1438 Alachua, FL, 32616-1438
                                       Email: cpo@pamho.net


                         Official Decision on the case of Gauri das

 This decision, decided on July 1, 2008 was rendered in accordance with the guidelines
                                                                                              established by the
 ISKCON Child Protection Policies and Procedures Handbook and ratified by the
                                                                             ISKCON Governing
 Body Commission. This statement is the Official Decision of the ISKCON Central
                                                                                Office of Child
 Protection (ICOCP).


 For purposes of identification, Gauri das is a UK devotee currently serving as President
                                                                                          of
 Bhaktivedanta Manor, England. Gauri das was a teacher in the Vmdavana gurukula
                                                                                      from 1991         to 2001,
 the time of the allegations. He was also known as Gudakesa during that
                                                                               time.

 This decision only defines the parameters of the relationship of Gauri das with ISKCON.
                                                                                                 It holds
 no legal status outside the ISKCON organization.                                      .

 Allegations and Evidence


 Allegations of excessive corporeal punishment have been made against Gauri das. These
 concems centered primarily on the administration of corporeal punishme
                                                                       nt while a gurukula
 teacher at the Bhaktivedanta Gurukula in Vmdavana, India from 1991 — 2001.


 The ICOCP has received statements from approximately 17 former students, and
                                                                               three adults,
alleging inappropriate and excessive corporeal punishment while Gauri das was a teacher
                                                                                        at the
Vrndavana Gurukula. The ICOCP also received and considered the lengthy
                                                                          evidence,
testimonies, and responses presented by Gauri das.


Conclusion


The CPO investigated and received testimony over a period of several months.
                                                                                  A panel of three
arbitrators carefully considered all evidence in this case, including the responses
                                                                                    from Gauri das.

Based upon the evidence presented to the CPO panel, Gauri das is found
                                                                       to be responsible
for inappropriate and excessive corporeal punishment, a behavior
                                                                 contrary to ISKCON
policy and Vaisnava behavior.


Restrictions:


There are mitigating circumstances in this case, including the acceptance
                                                                               of corporeal
punishment within India, and the report of many positive accompl
                                                                ishments while Gauri das was
at the gurukula. Further, there is no evidence that Gauri presents any current
                                                                                  threat to children.
Given the mitigating circumstances in this case and Gauri’s genuine
                                                                      desire to serve the mission
of Srila Prabhupada, the panel felt that restrictions should be moderat
                                                                          e.

The following restrictions will be immediately implemented:

     1.   Gauri das may not serve in a position of leadership in ISKCON temples or projects for
          three years from the date of this decision. This includes positions such as temple officer,
          department head, Director, etc.


    2,    Gauri shall not give class or lead kirtan in ISKCON temples or projects for a period of
          three years,


    3.    The above restrictions will end at the end of the three year period provided that, Gauri
          das fulfills the requirements listed below.


    4.    As a lifetime restriction Gauri das shall not have service directly overseeing children in
          an ISKCON temple or project, such as managing or teaching in an ISKCON school. He is
          free to assume any other service in ISKCON.


Requirements:

    1.    Gauri das must write a letter of apology to the former students clearly stating his actions
          and expressing remorse. The letter should be sent to the Child Protection Office.


    2.    As restitution, Gauri das should pay the amount of $3000 to one of the following projects
          benefitting children in ISKCON: Bhaktivedanta Gurukula and Intemational School
          (Vmdavana), Bhaktivedanta Manor gurukula, or ISKCON Youth Ministry.


Once these requirements are met, at the end of the three year period, restrictions #1 and #2 shall
be lifted. Gauri das may resume any appropriate service, and the panel and the CPO wish him
well in his continued service to ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada.


Other Standard CPO Policies


Restriction policy: The decision of the judges constitutes the minimum restrictions that an
ISKCON organization must enforce. Any specific ISKCON organization may choose to invoke
more stringent restrictions. However, it is expected that all ISKCON entities will carefully
consider these decisions of the CPO before imposing more stringent limitations, as the
constraints prescribed herein are deemed to be sufficient.


Appeals: According to the ISKCON Child Protection Office Policies and Procedures Handbook,
Section 5, in cases where allegations are determined to be valid, the Official Decision may be
appealed to the Child Protection Office Appeal Review Board within one month of the date of
this decision. The Official Decision described in this document is effective immediately, and the       .
individual must abide by its guidelines during the appeal process, should he choose to appeal this
decision.


Arbitration Panel and Case Manager: Panel members serving on this case were: Jayasacisuta das,
Kaisori dasi, and Praharana dasi. The Director of the ICOCP was Tamohara das, and the Case
Manager was Mahavishnupriya dasi.