New Initiative Deploys Domestic Abuse Specialists in 999 Call Rooms Across England
An innovative pilot program aims to enhance responses to emergency calls related to domestic abuse.
A pioneering program has been launched in England, embedding domestic abuse specialists within control rooms that handle 999 emergency calls.
This initiative, known as 'Raneem’s Law,' is designed to drive a significant cultural change across police forces regarding the handling of domestic abuse cases.
Named in memory of Raneem Oudeh, who was murdered alongside her mother Khaola Saleem in Solihull, the law seeks to address failings in police response following multiple reports made by Oudeh to law enforcement prior to her death.
The inquest into their deaths revealed that police handling of the case had 'materially contributed' to the tragic outcome, as Oudeh had reported her ex-husband multiple times, including four emergency calls on the night of her murder.
The pilot program is currently operational in five police forces: Northumbria, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Humberside, and the West Midlands, where Oudeh's case was processed.
There are plans to potentially extend the program across England and Wales by the year's end.
At the program's launch event held at the West Midlands police central operations hub, Nour Norris, aunt of Raneem and sister of Khaola, shared her emotional connection to the site where their lives were taken.
She emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “But this will save people’s lives; it’s as simple as that.” Norris has been an active campaigner for change in the wake of her family’s tragedy, criticizing the previous police approach as dismissive and lacking understanding of domestic violence.
According to Jess Phillips, minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, who expressed the deep impact of Oudeh's story on her, the involvement of specialists speaks to a necessary evolution in police culture and victim services.
Phillips noted, “You can already sense a cultural shift in the team, even just the language they use to speak to people.”
The embedded specialists will operate directly alongside call handlers, offering real-time feedback on emergency calls, assisting in the training of staff, and directing victims to appropriate support services.
Superintendent Jack Hadley of West Midlands police described the initiative as a potentially transformative step in the treatment of domestic abuse victims, highlighting the unprecedented transparency it brings to police operations.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the urgency of the issue, pointing out that a police call regarding domestic abuse is received every 30 seconds in the UK, amounting to over 100 calls per hour.
The overhaul of police responses, as outlined in this pilot, aims to ensure that victims receive necessary specialist support and protection.
Cooper stated that the initiative must serve as a legacy for Raneem and Khaola.
This initiative, known as 'Raneem’s Law,' is designed to drive a significant cultural change across police forces regarding the handling of domestic abuse cases.
Named in memory of Raneem Oudeh, who was murdered alongside her mother Khaola Saleem in Solihull, the law seeks to address failings in police response following multiple reports made by Oudeh to law enforcement prior to her death.
The inquest into their deaths revealed that police handling of the case had 'materially contributed' to the tragic outcome, as Oudeh had reported her ex-husband multiple times, including four emergency calls on the night of her murder.
The pilot program is currently operational in five police forces: Northumbria, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Humberside, and the West Midlands, where Oudeh's case was processed.
There are plans to potentially extend the program across England and Wales by the year's end.
At the program's launch event held at the West Midlands police central operations hub, Nour Norris, aunt of Raneem and sister of Khaola, shared her emotional connection to the site where their lives were taken.
She emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “But this will save people’s lives; it’s as simple as that.” Norris has been an active campaigner for change in the wake of her family’s tragedy, criticizing the previous police approach as dismissive and lacking understanding of domestic violence.
According to Jess Phillips, minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, who expressed the deep impact of Oudeh's story on her, the involvement of specialists speaks to a necessary evolution in police culture and victim services.
Phillips noted, “You can already sense a cultural shift in the team, even just the language they use to speak to people.”
The embedded specialists will operate directly alongside call handlers, offering real-time feedback on emergency calls, assisting in the training of staff, and directing victims to appropriate support services.
Superintendent Jack Hadley of West Midlands police described the initiative as a potentially transformative step in the treatment of domestic abuse victims, highlighting the unprecedented transparency it brings to police operations.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the urgency of the issue, pointing out that a police call regarding domestic abuse is received every 30 seconds in the UK, amounting to over 100 calls per hour.
The overhaul of police responses, as outlined in this pilot, aims to ensure that victims receive necessary specialist support and protection.
Cooper stated that the initiative must serve as a legacy for Raneem and Khaola.
