20th September 2024
Today, the Home Secretary has announced a series of vital new measures aimed at combating domestic abuse and violence towards women and girls, including the introduction of ‘Raneem’s Law.’ Named in honour of Raneem Oudeh and her mother, Khaola Saleem, who were tragically murdered by Raneem’s ex-husband in 2018, this law will see domestic abuse specialists embedded in 999 control rooms by early 2025. These specialists will ensure that calls for help are prioritised and that victims are quickly connected to essential support services.
In addition, the new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) will provide enhanced and longer-term protection for victims. With measures such as electronic tagging and no maximum duration, DAPOs will cover all forms of domestic abuse, including stalking and controlling behaviour.
Raneem’s case shows that there is a critical need to recognise Honour Based Abuse (HBA), a form of abuse that is often overlooked. Nour Norris, Raneem’s aunt and one of Karma Nirvana’s Survivor Ambassador Panel (SAP) members, has been a leading advocate for ensuring that the new measures account for all types of abuse, including HBA. Nour spoke at our Day of Memory in 2021, where she shared her story and advocated for better recognition of Honour Based Abuse. You can read more about the event here.
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”.
While the government’s efforts primarily focus on improving police responses to domestic abuse, it is hoped that these embedded specialists will be trained to identify and address Honour Based Abuse alongside other forms of abuse.
What is being introduced?
- Domestic abuse specialists are to be embedded in 999 control rooms under ‘Raneem’s Law’ from early 2025, with specialists advising on risk assessments and working with officers on the ground. 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
- New Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) are being introduced in enhance protection of victims
- The Home Secretary will spearhead a cross-governmental approach to tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, the first step in the government’s pledge to halve Violence against Women and Girls in the next decade
Karma Nirvana is pleased to see these new initiatives and is hopeful that they will bring about significant improvements in protecting victims of all forms of abuse, including Honour Based Abuse. This announcement is part of the government’s decade-long mission to halve violence against women and girls, with a focus on prevention, education, and stronger police responses.
For more information, visit the government website.