Racial Harassment: the Legal Response

Abstract

This article examines the core legislation tackling racial harassment in the UK with particular reference to the position in Scotland but within the context of UK and international law. The additional provisions introduced in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 for England and Wales and for Scotland are thus placed within a broader framework and an assessment of their cumulative impact gauged. The role played by public agencies including the Commission for Racial Equality in implementing law and developing policy is identified and reference made to reliance on policies of social inclusion. The author argues that the interdependence of law and policy in this area may be evident but there is still a significant lack of cohesion in their application.