Partners in Name Only? The Involvement of Black/Minority Ethnic Voluntary Organisations in Coordinated Approaches to Tackling Racial Harassment

Studies into multi-agency approaches to tackling racial harassment have found that one of the weaknesses of the approach resides in the lack of effective involvement of black and minority ethnic organisations. This article examines the policy and procedural responses of key statutory and voluntary organisations, including black/minority ethnic agencies and considers the ways in which the particular expertise and experience of the latter may be maximised in a strategic, coordinated approach to the problem. It argues that while there is much to be gained from the participation of black/minority ethnic organisations, their ability to contribute to change depends on the extent to which statutory organisations are willing to consider them as equal partners in the process.