PLEASE SEND THIS TO A REASONABLE MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL GBC.

PLEASE SEND THIS TO A REASONABLE MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL GBC.

Dear Readers:

Right now in Australia, there is a Royal Commission into Institutional
Responses to Allegations of Sexual Abuse. Evidence from sex abuse victims
has caused the reputation of the Catholic Church to be dragged through the
mud. George Pell, a prominent Church leader, was known to have been aware
of many instances of child sexual abuse and failed to do anything to
protect victims. Indeed he protected known pedophiles and shuffled them
around to other dioceses. This is all documented fact. He refused to resign
and the Church authorities refused to remove him. Thus the reputation of
the Catholic Church has been demolished by the testimony of those aware of
the true history. The media reports of the shocking abuse suffered at the
hands of “leaders” within the Catholic Church and the criminal negligence
of others in bringing these perpetrators to justice, has horrified and
outraged members of the Australian public.

In the same way, the senior GBC man in Australia, for the last 30 years or
more, is known by sworn testimony of victims of sex abuse by ISKCON
officers, to have protected pedophiles and shuffled them around to other
temples. Many of these victims have now gone to report their stories to the
Royal Commission who, as we speak, are collating the evidence against those
ISKCON leaders who have failed to respond appropriately when instances of
sexual abuse were reported to them.

If this behavior happened 30 years ago but was now rectified and past
mistakes corrected by sincere apologies and restitution to victims, I would
not need to be writing this article.

But earlier this year, the complicity of the Adelaide Temple President in
ignoring pleas for help from young women who were subject to prolonged and
traumatizing sexual harassment and assault from the Acting Temple
President, (who happened to be the son of the Temple President), were
revealed.

No member of the EC has had the time or inclination to speak to the
victims to offer them support or empathy of any kind. All the congregation
of sincere initiated devotees have told the representatives of the EC that
they will not work under the current Temple President.

And yet the EC stubbornly, and with great determination, and now
threatening to ban anyone who opposes them, insist on propping up this man
as the Temple President albeit with a co president who lives interstate.

And they are doing this in full knowledge that the Royal Commission into
Institutional Responses to Allegations of Sexual Abuse is currently
collecting stories. In this way, for the sake of one 70 year old man who is
desperate to hold onto his position, even though despised by the majority
of the devotees for an encyclopedia of reasons, they are showing their
reckless disregard for the reputation of Srila Prabhupada’s movement.

They are showing their arrogance in refusing to abide by Australian law
and take their responsibilities seriously in protecting young people from
abuse. Indeed, the top men have pressured victims to drop police charges.
This is even against ISKCON policy. WHY would they sacrifice the interests,
well being and devotional service of so many, the entire rank and file
Temple devotees, for one man?

All attempts to discuss this matter with members of the EC have been made
by many, many concerned devotees. All have had their efforts rebuffed,
ignored and stonewalled.

On behalf of many Australian devotees, who will not stop until this matter
has been dealt with comprehensively and with justice for the long
suffering, mistreated victims of sexual abuse, I now request that this be
seen as an international matter. Our two local GBC men have abandoned the
welfare of devotees in Australia. They do nothing to help. Indeed they
create obstacles for attempts at straightforward communication.

I personally cannot think of who to send this article to, who, concerned
for Australian devotees and the reputation of ISKCON in this, the 50th
Anniversary year, will actually take some positive action.

Therefore, I am requesting the readers of this article to forward it to
anyone you think may have the strength and inclination to address these
deep and most profound concerns.

I can be reached at
Subhalaksmi.dd@gmail.com <Subhalaksmi.dd@gmail.com>

I look forward to hearing from even one person before this matter
escalates exponentially as it surely will without proper intervention.

Thank you.

I hope this meets you all in good health and spirits.

Your servant
Subhalaksmi devi dasi.