CPO Objectives

Objectives of the Child Protection Office (CPO)

The CPO would be complimenting to the 7 purposes of ISKCON rather than be a trouble to it.

7 Purposes of ISKCON

1. To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all people in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life, and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.

2. To propagate a consciousness of Kṛṣṇa as He is revealed in Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

3. To bring the members of the society together with each other and nearer to Kṛṣṇa, and thus to develop the idea within the members and humanity at large that each soul is part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

4. To teach and encourage the sankirtan movement, congregational chanting of the holy name of God, and to reveal the teachings of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

5. To erect for the members, and the society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the Personality of Godhead.

6. To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simple and more natural way of life.

7. With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.

Thus, the objectives of the CPO could be:

1. To take preventive/safety measures in all temples, Naamhattas, schools run by the temples, Gurukulas, etc. with regard to the protection of children from any abuse or exploitation.

2. To conduct spiritual activities for the children like weekly Prahlāda School, summer camps, annual programs, etc. for their devotional development.

3. To create awareness about the need for the protection of children among all the strata – management, temple devotees, congregation, parents, children, etc.

4. To conduct awareness programs related to the Indian legal provisions for children, Garbhādāna-saṁskāra, Garbha-saṁskāra, parenting skills, etc.

5. Identify best practices related to child protection and programs conducted for children and try to replicate the same in other temples.

6. Try to publish a newsletter annually at least of the programs and practices followed by all temples related to child protection, various devotional activities conducted for the children, etc.

7. If possible, conduct research studies related to the effects of spiritual exposure since childhood, the result of Garbhādāna and Garbha-saṁskāra prior to and during pregnancy on children, etc.