CPO & CPOC

Relationship of CPO-Bharat with the Child Protection Overseeing Committee (CPOC)

• CPO–Bharat operates under the authority of the Indian Bureau, the legal authority for ISKCON in India, and functions as part of ISKCON’s child protection system in India. All cases in India follow the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, ensuring full compliance with Indian child protection laws and statutory requirements.

• The Child Protection Oversight Committee (CPOC), nominated by the GBC, provides governance, strategic guidance and global child protection standards within ISKCON. It operates independently and does not directly handle individual cases or adjudications, maintaining clear oversight and accountability mechanisms.

• CPO–Bharat follows CPOC guidelines, maintains regular communication for child safeguarding information sharing, and coordinates to prevent known offenders from moving across regions or ISKCON centres. While respecting local cultural contexts in India, CPO–Bharat keeps CPOC informed about all cases and may consult them on complex or high-profile child protection matters.

• All cases arising in India are handled by CPO–Bharat, which submits bi-monthly and annual reports to both the Indian Bureau and CPOC as part of transparent child protection reporting systems. Cross-border cases are promptly reported to CPOC, but adjudication within India remains CPO–Bharat’s responsibility under Indian legal jurisdiction.

• Through this collaboration, CPO–Bharat ensures accountable, professional and trauma-informed child protection in India, meeting both GBC child safeguarding standards and Indian legal requirements.

To contact the CPOC, visit CPOC Website