The night she was killed by her ex-husband she rang 999 four times

Raneem Oudeh’s name will now be used to help other girls and women across the country

Victims of domestic abuse will be better protected from perpetrators under new plans to help women and girls. The measures, to be announced by the Home Secretary on Friday, September 20, mark the first step in the government’s pledge to halve domestic violence in the next decade.

The government said in its wider mission “to take back our streets”, domestic abuse specialists will now be embedded in 999 control rooms. This new initiative aims to ensure calls for help are treated with urgency and victims get the support they need straight away.

The changes form 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, Raneem, from Solihull, rang 999 four times.

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‘Raneem’s Law’ will be put on a statutory footing by issuing national guidance that police will be required to follow. Nour Norris, lead campaigner, Raneem Oudeh’s aunt and Khaola Saleem’s sister, 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 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”.

Almost 100 domestic abuse-related offences were recorded by the police every hour on average last year. In light of this, the government will fund this pilot in targeted police forces from early 2025.

Specialists will be able to advise on risk assessments and work with officers on the ground. These specialists will be backed up by dedicated teams to improve how the police respond to these kinds of calls, including using new technology to respond more quickly such as Rapid Video Response.

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 violence against women and girls 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.”