Apology

We can completely understand the frustrations that are held by the community. We can only begin to imagine the pain and hurt that the ordeal following the incident may have caused all those involved. We apologise unreservedly for our failure in publishing our report in the timeframe set out in our terms of reference. The investigation is ongoing and is still focused on reviewing how institutions and organisations responded to the alleged sexual abuse at a Derby Gurdwara (please see our terms of references).

Reason

The Management Committee/Trustees of Guru Arjan Dev Gurdwara, Derby, are key in this investigation. On the day of the announcement of the investigation (2^nd July 2021), a member of the Gurdwara management committee contacted us and confirmed their willingness to participate. After conducting some background research into this case, we offered a face-to-face meeting to be scheduled for the first week of September on the 17^th August 2021.

Since then, unfortunately, due to several personal reasons, including the illness of some key person(s) in the Gurdwara Management Committee, there was a lapse of communication.

On the 13^th October 2021, we sent a detailed written query with over 40 specific questions to the Gurdwara Management Committee and Trustees. A deadline was set for Monday 25^th October.

The Gurdwara Management was unable to maintain this deadline, and we have further offered an extended deadline of 12^th November 2021.

A member of the Gurdwara Management Committee has now assured us of their continued support for the investigation.

The response and participation of this Gurdwara Sahib is essential to make any material findings. The investigation is not statutory, and we have no power to enforce ‘deadlines’. We hope to receive a response soon, and we will progress with the next stages of investigation before publishing our final report. In any circumstance, our report will be published by the 6^th December 2021.

Request

We are aware of several posts on social media by different sources that have triggered heightened emotions in our community. The Gurdwara Management Committee has also issued a statement. Apart from this, private submissions to the investigation continue to be monitored. Our investigation will review all ‘new’ and ‘relevant’ material.

We urge all organisations/individuals to consider the long-term impact of everything brought and consequently left in the public domain. We are also aware of several rumours and misinformation spread about this investigation. We cannot afford for such trivial matters to distract the focus of this investigation and investigators:

We are not ‘covering up’, nor are we interested in ‘shaming’. The Gurdwara is the foundational institution of Sikhi. Our intention remains to build hope for victims and restore trust in Sikh Faith institutions.

Terms of Reference (Public Document)

Introduction

This investigation has been prompted by allegations of rape and serious sexual abuse at a Gurdwara in Derby. Gurdwaras are not just places of worship; instead, they are central to Sikh life and have an open-door policy. This means all aspects of safeguarding are of paramount importance. The Sikh faith has zero tolerance for any abuse; this is made clear in doctrine, history and scripture.

This investigation aims to build hope for victims and restore trust in Sikh Faith institutions through its findings and/or recommendations. This investigation is limited to the alleged incident(s) at ‘Derby Gurdwara’.

Objectives and Scope

To review Sikh institutional responses on alleged sexual abuse at a ‘Derby Gurdwara,’ this investigation will work:

– To confirm the incidents of abuse alleged at a ‘Derby Gurdwara’ on social media;

– To confirm whether there was an inappropriate institutional response by Sikh Organisations in the Derby Case; to consider the extent of the failure of Sikh Organisations in managing the allegation(s) of abuse appropriately; to consider the extent to which those failings have since been addressed; to identify further action needed to address any failings identified.

– To consider the role of Sikh institutions in supporting the victim of abuse in the Derby case; to consider the extent of the failure of institutes in supporting the victim appropriately; to identify further action needed to address any failings identified.

– To assess how Sikh Organisations dealt with the alleged perpetrators of the Derby Case; the role of authorities in responding to the incident; have any aims of punishment (deterrence, protection, reformation, retribution, reparation, vindication) been met; to review the outcomes on the balance of Sikh Teachings (Gurmat).

– To make a broad assessment of the safeguarding culture in the Sikh organisations that have come into contact with the victim or alleged perpetrator(s) in the Derby case.

– To consider the role of other organisations (statutory and non-statutory ) in responding to the allegation; to assess the level of support provided to the victim; to identify further action needed to address any failings identified.

– To publish and share a report of the process and findings of the investigation publicly; to make recommendations; to make public any obstacles to the investigation and list any parties that refused to engage or co-operate with the investigation.

Timeframes

To publish a report by October 2021

Investigator: Sukhjeevan Singh (Head of Operations – SikhGuarding)

Declaration of Conflicts of Interests

1. My former role as an office-bearer in the Sikh Council UK, which is listed as an institution that came into contact with the victim.
2. My current role as a non-executive advisor to Sikh Council, which is listed as an institution that came into contact with the victim.
3. My current role as a Sikh Preacher (Kathavachak/Giani) that works in Gurdwaras in the UK and abroad – the alleged incident took place in a Gurdwara, and the primary institutional response would come from the Gurdwara Management Committee that may have commissioned my services in the past or may do so in the future.

Managing/Removing Conflicts of Interest

To manage the above conflicts, I will:

– For the duration of the investigation remove myself from any issues, discussion or activity relating to this case or any other safeguarding matters in SCUK.

– refuse any payments/reimbursements if the Gurdwara where the alleged incident took place was to invite me for katha (preaching) in the future.

Principles

– Any allegation(s) of abuse received by the investigation will be referred to the Police and other appropriate services/authorities.
– All personal and sensitive information will be appropriately protected; and will be made available only to those who need to see it.
– It is not part of the investigation’s function to determine the civil or criminal liability of named individuals or organisations
– However, this should not inhibit the investigations from reaching findings of fact relevant to its terms of reference and publicising these findings.

Request for Information/Enquries
Please send any relevant information or send enquiries to info@sikhguarding.co.uk

Update on Derby Investigation