Confronting The Issue Of Child Abuse Among Powerful Leaders

A leader is a guiding light, navigating people through tough terrains. But what happens when a leader himself misuses his power to manipulate and alter the course of his actions?

In a recent video surfacing online, the Dalai Lama- Spiritual leader of Buddism, was seen asking a young kid to ‘suck his tongue’. This obnoxious remark by the Dalai Lama has sparked a row on the internet.

Although the video has just surfaced on the internet, it was shot on 28th Feb at the Dalai Lama temple in Dharamshala, a small town in the Indian Himalayan region. At that time, Dalai Lama attended a spiritual training completion ceremony for a hundred kids, organized by the M3M foundation at the temple. 

The incident took place during the interaction with the kids. One of the kids was asked to come and greet Dalai Lama with a hug. Until now, everything was natural. But soon, everything went south as Dalai Lama kissed the boy on his lips, struck his tongue out, and asked the young boy to suck it!

The triggering video shook the world to the bone. Following this, Dalai Lama apologized publically through his official Twitter handle extending a heartfelt apology to the kid, his family, and the world. 

In Dalai Lama’s defence, sticking tongue out is a form of greeting- a sign of mutual agreement and respect- in ancient Tibetan Culture, according to the Institute of East Asian Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.

However, this does not justify the recent events at any cost. The incident was far more stretched than ‘sticking tongue out’.

A string of controversies around Dalai Lama:

And that is not it. Just as the video made it to the internet, another video of Dalai Lama and Lady Gaga from 2016 went viral. In the viral video, Dalai Lama can be seen touching and tickling Lady Gaga’s leg.

In the past, too, Dalai Lama sparked controversy in an interview with BBC Media. When Dalai Lama enquired about a female Dalai Lama descending him, he replied, "She should be more attractive than me,” adding, “If a woman looks a certain way, people might not like to see her face.” 

And Dalai Lama does not face any legal action. And this is not the only controversy encircling a well-known leader. Often, global leaders commit atrocious acts and misuse their power. This forced us to ponder- why spiritual leaders are often involved in unlawful activities.

Dalai Lama is not the only spiritual leader involved in bizarre acts. 

And many times, powerful personalities are found entangled in such activities. For example, in 2019, Naasón Joaquín García, a Mexican religious leader, was arrested for child abuse. 

He is a Mexican-American religious leader and the head of La Luz del Mundo, a Christian denomination based in Mexico. In 2019, he was arrested in the United States for child rape, human trafficking, and other crimes.

According to the charges, García and several co-defendants allegedly committed crimes against three girls and one woman between 2015 and 2018 in Los Angeles County. After initially pleading not guilty for years, Garcia finally accepted his wrongdoings in June 2022, when he pleaded guilty to all the charges against him.

The case has received significant media attention due to the high-profile nature of García and his religious organization.

Apart from the case of Naasón Joaquín García and Dalai Lama, history is filled with examples of leaders abusing their power to the fullest. Bill Gothard and Tony Alamo are two other cases where both religious leaders were found guilty of involvement in wrongdoings. 

Bill Gothard:

Bill Gothard founded the Institute in Basic Life Principles, a conservative Christian organization. In 2014, he was accused of sexually harassing and abusing several women who worked for his organization. The allegations included inappropriate touching, unwanted advances, and creating a hostile work environment. Gothard resigned from his position at the organization but denied the allegations. In 2016, the organization released a statement acknowledging that "some former leaders did not exercise proper discretion and failed to protect young women in their care." Gothard has not been criminally charged in connection with the allegations.

Tony Alamo:

Tony Alamo was a pastor and founder of the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries, a small religious group based in Arkansas. He was accused of sexually abusing young girls who were group members, as well as other criminal activities. In 2009, he was convicted on 10 counts of transporting minors across state lines for sexual purposes and sentenced to 175 years in prison. Alamo died in prison in 2017.

What can be done to prevent such is happening?

The cases of religious leaders accused of child abuse or sexual misconduct highlight the importance of holding all individuals accountable for their actions regardless of their status or position. These cases also illustrate the need for institutions to have effective reporting mechanisms and to take swift action in response to allegations of abuse.

Victims need to have access to support and resources to heal from the trauma of abuse. It is also important to acknowledge the bravery of those who come forward to report abuse and to encourage a culture that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all members, especially vulnerable individuals such as children and minors.

Additionally, these cases show the need for ongoing education and training for individuals in positions of authority, such as religious leaders, to ensure they understand their responsibilities in preventing and responding to instances of abuse. Finally, these cases emphasize the importance of continued efforts to create a society that values every person's dignity and worth and works to prevent abuse and exploitation.

Conclusion:

It is important to note that the cases mentioned do not represent all religious leaders or organizations. Most religious leaders and organizations do not engage in or condone child abuse or sexual misconduct.

However, it is also essential to acknowledge that these cases highlight the abuse of power and the harm that can be caused when individuals in positions of authority abuse their positions. Therefore, all allegations of abuse must be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly, regardless of the individual's position or reputation.

Ultimately, the responsibility to prevent and address abuse rests with all community members, including religious leaders, congregants, and individuals outside religious organizations. We must all work together to create a culture prioritising safety, accountability, and justice for all.

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