UK's leading charity branded as 'institutionally racist'

ONE of Britain’s largest domestic abuse charities for women has been branded as institutionally racist by its own staff members, a recent media report claimed.

Solace Women’s Aid, a charity for women escaping domestic abuse, has been accused of racism as dozens of complainants signed an open letter condemning the “consistent failings, racism and persecution of staff” by some of the organisation’s leaders. Six senior staff members have resigned citing racism concerns in just over six months, The Independent reported.

The complainants have also reportedly called for the removal of the chief executive, senior leadership team and board of trustees.

Claiming that stress and alleged bullying had made her constantly nervous and sleep deprived, one signatory told the media outlet that racism at Solace is all about power and “keeping women of colour under control”.

A number of staff has also claimed that their personal data was mishandled during what should have been a confidential Black Lives Matter survey. 

The letter claims that some executives carried out direct acts of racism against some staff and alleges that institutional racism and gaslighting took place throughout the organisation.

Despite an ongoing complaint to human resources, Solace’s leadership has “exhibited wilful ignorance towards anti-black racism”, the open letter published on Twitter alleges, adding that there is a lack of interest in the complaints raised.

Solace has strongly refuted the allegations. 

“Solace takes all complaints of discrimination in any form seriously and they are all thoroughly investigated, with independent investigators where appropriate. The serious allegations reported by the Independent had previously been raised with Solace’s Board."

"We appointed independent investigators who reported directly to the Board and, after extensive investigations in recent months,  that investigations have not found any evidence of systemic racism or bullying or that there was any breach of data protection,” said the organization’s official statement on its website.