GBC Statement on the Enhanced Approach to Child Protection

After nearly a year of careful deliberation, the GBC has approved the Enhanced Child Protection Approach (the “Enhanced Approach”) and is confident that its implementation will best serve ISKCON’s children. This institutional redesign focuses on establishing an Oversight Committee, independent external investigations and expansion of the responsibilities of regional governing bodies.

We acknowledge that this new approach marks a significant departure from past practices, and we anticipate that doubts and scepticism may arise. However, the claims that the Enhanced Approach has been hastily formulated and is doomed to fail, has no merit.

While we encourage and celebrate diverse perspectives, it is essential that we avoid prematurely condemning the new model  or launching ad hominem attacks against those selected by the GBC, to implement it. The approval of the Enhanced Approach has sparked much-needed dialogue and to ensure its cautious implementation and guide the transition, we have appointed the GBC Justice Minister as the interim CPO director, in whom we have full confidence, just as we do in the Oversight Committee. Furthermore, the GBC will receive a mandatory biannual report, which will allow the Enhanced Plan to be adjusted as needed. Just as important, the current approved Guidelines for child protection remain unchanged.

Although we may not all share the same views, we are united by our common goals and commitment to the continued efforts to improve child protection in ISKCON. The only way to navigate this delicate balance is through mutual understanding and respect. We, therefore, reaffirm our belief in the need for change and remain confident that the Enhanced Approach will better serve ISKCON’s children. Adopting a new approach requires courage, and we urge the global community of devotees to support the new team and their efforts.

May our children have a better and safer tomorrow.

Your servants,

Guru Prasad Swami
Tapana Misra Das
Govardhana Das,
GBC Executive Committee