Domestic abuse specialists are set to have a presence within 999 control rooms across England and Wales, as announced by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. This move comes in response to fervent calls from campaigners stressing the critical importance of taking domestic violence victims seriously right from their initial emergency call for help.
The initiative has been named Raneem’s Law, in memory of Nour Norris’ niece Raneem Oudeh, 22, and her sister Khaola Saleem, 49, who tragically lost their lives to domestic violence. Norris, a dedicated campaigner, highlighted the urgent need for individuals seeking police assistance to be given the necessary support to ensure their safety.
Under Raneem’s Law, domestic abuse specialists will be integrated into control rooms to enhance the police response to incidents involving violence against women and girls. Starting early next year, a pilot programme funded by the UK Government will be launched in select police forces, with further details yet to be disclosed regarding its scope.
A significant motivation behind this decision was the revelation during an inquest into the deaths of Oudeh and Saleem that errors by West Midlands Police had contributed substantially to the tragic outcome. Despite multiple distress calls from Oudeh expressing fear for her safety, systemic failures within the police force led to a devastating loss.
During a visit to Kent Police, Nour Norris, alongside Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips, engaged with 999 control handlers to witness firsthand the emergency response mechanisms in place. The impending enforcement of Raneem’s Law is rooted in reinforcing national guidelines to ensure a swift and specialized response in cases of domestic abuse.
Yvette Cooper stressed the necessity of having domestic abuse expertise embedded within control rooms to guarantee appropriate responses to emergency calls, acknowledging the severe consequences that can result from inadequate action. The tragic loss of Raneem and Khaola serves as a poignant reminder of the critical role these specialists will play in safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
As preparations for the implementation of Raneem’s Law progress, the commitment to improving responses to domestic violence remains at the forefront of initiatives aimed at protecting victims and preventing further tragedies. The collaboration between campaigners, officials, and law enforcement signifies a vital step towards ensuring that victims of domestic abuse receive the necessary support and intervention from their very first call for help.