Second phase of ‘Raneem’s Law’ sees 12 more control rooms get specialist support to aid victims and survivors.
Government efforts to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG) are stepping up, with domestic abuse specialists to be deployed in 12 more 999 control rooms across England and Wales, bring the total to 17 control rooms providing this specialist support to victims and survivors of abuse at home.
The expansion includes the control rooms of police forces such as Thames Valley, West Yorkshire, Essex, Merseyside and North Wales.
It’s a year since the government launched ‘Raneem’s Law’, in memory of Raneem Oudeh and her mother Khaola Saleem, who were murdered by Oudeh’s ex-husband in 2018, despite numerous calls to 999 – when police did not arrive on the scene in time.
The initial phase saw specialists embedded in Bedfordshire, Humberside, Northamptonshire, Northumbria and West Midlands control rooms. The specialists supervise calls to the control centre and can provide advice when it’s needed. They also conduct cases reviews and risk assessments, and help in training staff.
Police report that this has resulted in greater confidence among call handlers and officers in handling incidents related to domestic abuse, earlier identification of high-risk cases and swifter action to respond.
An estimated 3.8m people experienced domestic abuse last year. The expansion of Raneem’s Law is part of the government’s wider strategy aiming to reduce incidents of violence against women and girls by half. Domestic abuse specialists will be embedded in all 999 control centres by 2029.
Nour Norris, aunt of Raneem Oudeh, sister of Khaola Saleem and lead campaigner, says: ‘When my sister Khaola and my niece Raneem called for help, they should have been heard, understood and protected. Instead, our family lost two beautiful lives in circumstances that should never have happened.
‘Every step forward for Raneem’s Law is deeply emotional for me because it comes from unimaginable pain and loss. Knowing that 12 more police forces will have domestic abuse specialists in their 999 control rooms gives me hope that other families may be spared the heartbreak that ours lives with every day.
‘Raneem’s Law is more than a policy. It is a legacy built on love for my sister and niece and on the determination that their voices, and the voices of all victims of domestic abuse, are never ignored again. I am incredibly proud to see this expansion and remain committed to ensuring that every victim who reaches out for help is met with understanding, expertise and, most importantly, protection.’
Natalie Fleet MP, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls, adds: ‘Last year, one in eight women experienced domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. No society that tolerates this level of violence can claim to be safe for women.
‘That’s why we are rolling out the pioneering Raneem’s Law to another 12 police forces in England and Wales, because every victim – no matter where they live – should be able to rely on a system that truly supports them. But we will not stop there. We will deploy the full power of the state to make this country safe for women and girls.’
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