Proposed Media Story on ISKCON Child Abuse

SD: Someone contacted me unsolicited letting me know they are writing a story on child abuse in ISKCON. Do you have any information you can give to this person in this regard?

This is what they sent to me:

"The plan is to write a feature story on how the Iskcon GBC actively covers up and defends abusers, giving specific examples of some who were named in the cases in the past or present, with some evidence, and are still active within the community without facing consequences. In this regard, I am looking for the following information.

1. Who are the members who were convicted of abuse/harassment in the past and who are still participating in events and activities of the Iskcon currently? Can you share any links/files/emails about their cases when they were taken up? The Loknath case files is one example here.

2. Out of the current members of the GBC/CPO, are there any members who have a history of abuse or covering up abuse? Can you share any links/files/emails about their specific cover up or are there any witnesses I can speak to?

3. Can you share some current CPO member names who could be willing to speak to me if I contact them? I want to find out more recent instances when the GBC interfered in their work like in the Loknath case.

4. I know this is going to be a long shot and probably very difficult to find/does not exist, but is there anywhere a database of cases handled by the CPOs?

5. What are some of the other active cases under adjudication like the Loknath Swami case?

6. Would it be possible for any of the victims to share their story? I know this might be traumatic, so never mind if it's not feasible.

7. How many gurukuls and other schools are being run by Iskcon currently? How many students study at these? How do I find out who the faculty members are currently at these schools? For example, at Bhaktivedant Manor School in London, Guru Carana Padma is the head teacher, but I don't know who the other teachers are and what their background is. 

I did try to look on their website, and there is little information about this. What subjects are being taught at these schools?

8. I know the definition of a member is probably not concrete, but approximately, how many members are a part of the Iskcon community globally? Is there any data on the number of devotees for each country?"

Please message me and I can pass the message on to this person.

[PADA: You can send info to angel108b@yahoo.com and we will forward.]