Report accuses social workers of ignoring family violence for fear of upsetting ethnic minorities in Britain

Political correctness is putting children's lives at risk as authorities turn a blind eye to domestic violence for fear of antagonising ethnic minority communities, says the NSPCC. The charity warns that Asian victims of domestic violence are being failed by those working in child protection because of 'cultural sensitivities'. The report finds that 'police, health, education and social services did not feel qualified to deal with Asian victims. This sometimes led them to take the wrong action or no action at all on the grounds of respecting Asian culture.' A 105-page report by the NSPCC says 750,000 children are affected by domestic violence in their homes - either as witnesses or victims. Social workers said they had come across examples where some violent Asians used their culture and religion to justify their abusive domestic violence. As Asian adults and children are brought up to believe the public image of the family is more important than individual safety, problems are kept secret, the report warns. 'Asian children and their mothers suffer the double injustice of a community that would rather save face than deal with domestic violence and a system that lacks cultural understanding so hides behind political correctness,' said Saleha Islam, the NSPCC's Asian helpline manager.