Raneem's Law announced to tackle violence against women

Announced by the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper on Friday 20 September, Raneem's Law is the direct result of the double-murder of two Birmingham women whose calls to the police were not properly assessed.

The initiative means domestic abuse specialists will now be embedded in police control rooms to ensure victims get the specialist response they need straight away. 

In 2018, Raneem Oudeh and Khaola Saleem, both from Soliull, were murdered by Raneem's ex-husband. This was despite Ms. Oudeh, 22, calling 999 emergency services 13 times in the months leading up to the murder to report domestic abuse, and four times on the night she died. 

On average last year, almost 100 domestic abuse calls were recorded by the police every hour. The government will begin piloting Raneem's Law in police forces in early 2025 as part of a commitment to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade.

Nikki Plummer, Head of Domestic Abuse and Interpersonal Violence at Birmingham Children’s Trust, welcomed the announcement.

She said: "Having domestic abuse specialists support the police’s 999 control rooms in reacting to that initial call for help where there is domestic abuse, and then with the officers who follow this up, will significantly improve risk assessment, safety planning and safeguarding responses for those who need help and protection.

"Whilst we still have a long way to go in tackling domestic abuse, this is a positive step forwards.”

Nour Norris, who has since campaigned tirelessly for increased measures to help protect women, is the aunt and sister of Raneem Oudeh and Khaola Saleem. She explained: “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.

"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”.

Jess Phillips, the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, said the specialists will ensure cases like Ms. Oudeh's "don't happen again".

She added: "Most domestic abuse incidences are repeat offences. So getting it right the first time you call actually is part of a prevention model, making sure somebody gets the service that they need when the first time they call is vitally important.

"But we have to stop this happening in the first place."

You can read more about Raneem's Law on the government website here.