Citation

Belur J. Policing Soc. 2008; 18(4): 426-444.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10439460802349312

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between police services offered to Asian women as victims of domestic violence and institutional racism. Interviews with officers and women belonging to the minority ethnic communities in two police force areas in England showed that black and minority ethnic (BME) women victims of domestic violence suffer a double disadvantage in terms of the poor service that victims of domestic violence receive in general and because their special needs on account of their ethnicity are not taken into account. The article identifies various problem areas in the way domestic violence incidents in the Asian community are policed, and argues that discussing this issue as an outcome of institutionally racist practices would give it a higher profile and perhaps provide a stronger impetus for introducing necessary reforms and changes in police policy, practice, and training.