The Radhadesh CPT has been invited by the International Child Protection Office for a 3 days Child Protection Training in the beautiful Villagio Hare Krishna Temple near Bergamo, Italy. The Child Protection training was held on the 5^th and 6^th of October. The last day was reserved for Review Panel Member Training (RPM).

There were about 15 attendees participating from Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, Ireland and Belgium. 

The Radhadesh Team are new to this service role and are very happy to finally and officially receive this training after 3 years of accepting this very important service for the Radhadesh Community. 

On Day 1 Kamalesh Krishna Dasa, the director of the International Child Protection Office, started the first day off explaining  several topics such as, what is child abuse, types of abuses, the effects of child abuse, who commits the abuse, role of the CPT’s,  creating policies, training of adults/children etc etc.

On Day 2 the training was led by Gandharvika Devi dasi and Daksina Devi Dasi. Gandharvika Devi Dasi has been involved in child protection in ISKCON since its inception in 1998 and is the assistant International Director. Daksina Devi Dasi is the UK National Director and has been involved with child protection for the last 10 years. The following topics were discussed: role and duties of review panel, managing cases, evidence and testimony, evaluating evidence, criteria for decisions, along with two very educational sample cases. It was very interesting to see how the attendees reviewed and solved cases in different ways. 

On Day 3 the participants continued discussing different topics in regards to review panel case adjudications. The rest of the day they spent specifically working on one sample case. The attendees were given a full case and each one had to review the case and see how they would solve it, what requirements and restrictions would be put in place for the alleged perpetrator. The day was closed with a wonderful trip to the beautiful Bergamo city, which is famous for its wealth of artistic treasures and medieval atmosphere. 

Bergamo, Italy.

As mentioned by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.8.5.: “The protection of children gives the human form of life its best chance to prepare the way of liberty from material bondage.”With this training, the participants expressed their hope and willingness to actively contribute to creating a safe environment, full of affection and love for the children in the ISKCON society.