Domestic abuse specialists to be embedded in 999 control rooms under new measures announced by Home Secretary

The Home Office said it will fund the pilot in “targeted police forces” from early next year.

The move, announced by the Home Secretary on Friday (September 20), is part of ‘Raneem’s Law’, in memory of Raneem Oudeh and her mother Khaola Saleem, who were murdered by Raneem’s ex-husband in 2018.

There were 13 reports made to the police about concerns for Raneem’s safety, with no arrests made. On the night she was killed, she rang 999 four times.

Specialists with expertise in domestic abuse will be embedded in 999 control rooms to advise on risk assessments and work with officers on the ground, to ensure that victims get a fast response when needed and are referred to support services as quickly as possible.

These specialists will be backed up by dedicated teams to improve how the police responds to these kinds of calls, including using new technology to respond more quickly, such as rapid video response.

The Home Office said ‘Raneem’s Law’ will be put on a statutory footing by issuing national guidance that police will be required to follow.

Almost 100 domestic abuse-related offences were recorded by the police every hour on average last year. This new initiative aims to ensure calls for help are treated with the urgency needed and victims get the specialist support they need straight away.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Victims of appalling domestic abuse need to know that the police will be there for them. Today’s measures are the start of this new government’s mission to halve VAWG in a decade.

“Failure to understand the seriousness of domestic abuse costs lives and far too many have already been lost. That’s why introducing ‘Raneem’s Law’ in memory of Raneem and her mother Khaola is so vital – and has been a personal priority for me.

“Through an expert-led, practical police response, we need to ensure that when victims and survivors of abuse have the courage to come forward it will be treated with the seriousness and urgency it deserves.

“Our mission is for the whole of government, agencies, organisations and communities to work together to halve violence against women and girls in a decade, and today is just one step of many towards tangible and long-lasting change.”

The Home Office also announced that a new domestic abuse protection order pilot will be launched in November that will place tougher sanctions on domestic abusers if they fail to stay away from their victims.

The pilot will build on powers police already have to legally order abusers to not make contact with or go within a certain distance of the victim – but domestic abuse victims are currentlyprotected for  only up to 28 days.

The new orders will go further, with measures such as making it a legal requirement for perpetrators to inform the police of any change in name or address, imposing electronic tagging, and ordering assessments for behaviour change programmes. There will also be no maximum duration for these orders.

The orders will cover all forms of domestic abuse, including violence, stalking and controlling behaviour, and more agencies will be able to apply for them – not just the police and criminal courts but also family and civil courts, and third parties such as local authorities, charities and social services, with victims also able to apply directly for the order themselves.

Breaching one of these new orders will be a criminal offence, punishable by up to five years in prison.

The forces initially piloting domestic abuse protection orders will be Greater Manchester Police, Metropolitan Police Service (South London Borough Command Unit) and British Transport Police.

Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls Jess Phillips said: “For too long, we know victims haven’t had the protection they deserve. We have set out an ambitious mission – to halve violence against women and girls in a decade – and offering the strongest and most effective response to incidents of domestic abuse is absolutely fundamental to this.

“Embedding domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms and rolling out new protective orders to pilot forces and courts across the country are both huge steps towards the best response for victims possible.

“Working with Nour, Raneem’s aunt and Khaola’s sister, has been one of the greatest honours of my life. We must make sure that when we change our policies those are the people that it comes from. The people with direct experience.”

Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs welcomed the introduction of Raneem’s Law and the “much needed” pilot of the new domestic abuse protection orders.

“It is estimated that the police receive a call about domestic abuse every 30 seconds. Emergency call handlers must be equipped to respond with the understanding and urgency that is needed to keep victims safe,” she said.

“Domestic abuse protection orders should also play an important role in protecting victims from harm, enabling police to manage the risk posed by perpetrators more effectively. This pilot is much needed, and must be tested effectively so that when it is rolled out nationally, every victim is able to access a robust protective order.

“These announcements represent a first step forward in Government’s commitment to halve VAWG in a decade, and I look forward to working together to make this ambition a reality.”

Nour Norris, lead campaigner, aunt and sister of Raneem Oudeh and Khaola Saleem, said: “Six years ago, when I lost my niece Raneem and sister Khaola, my world fell apart. Their suffering and the way the system failed them is something I will never forget. That’s when I began my campaign, Secure Life for Raneem’s Law. What started as a quest for justice for my family became a mission to improve outcomes for all domestic abuse victims everywhere.

“Raneem’s Law will ensure that domestic abuse specialists are present in 999 control rooms so victims’ calls for help are taken seriously and save lives by making sure no warning signs are ignored, unlike in Raneem’s story. I am deeply proud that this Government has listened and acted quickly to make Raneem’s Law a reality. Their commitment to addressing domestic violence has shown me that change is possible when we refuse to stay silent.

“Knowing that Raneem’s name will now be a source of hope and protection for others fills me with a sense of pride I cannot put into words. Raneem’s memory lives on in this law, and it means the world to me to know that her story will help save lives.”