Raneem’s Law
Aneeta Prem: The Transformation of Domestic Abuse Response Under ‘Raneem’s Law’
Raneem’s Law At Freedom Charity, we are all too familiar with the devastating reality of domestic abuse. The introduction of Raneem’s Law—named after Raneem Oudeh, who was murdered alongside her mother after repeated calls for help went unanswered—marks a critical shift in how police handle domestic abuse. This reform is a necessary step towards ensuring that victims’ cries for help are taken seriously and acted upon swiftly.
Raneem’s tragic case is emblematic of the system’s failings. Despite making four calls to the police on the night of her murder and having a history of abuse, she and her mother were left unprotected. An inquest later found that the mishandling of her case had “materially contributed” to her death(
)(
). This is why the introduction of domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms is so vital—they will ensure that no warning signs are ignored, and no victim is left without the urgent response they need.
Domestic Abuse: A Silent Epidemic of Underreporting
The scale of domestic abuse in the UK is staggering, with nearly 100 related crimes reported every hour(
). However, what’s even more alarming is the significant number of victims who never report their abuse or wait years to seek help. On average, it takes seven attempts for a woman to leave an abusive partner(
)(
). For many, this is due to fear of reprisal, control exerted by the abuser, and societal or familial pressure.
This underreporting is particularly severe among victims of forced marriage and dishonour-based abuse, where cultural and social factors exacerbate the fear of reaching out for help. Victims are often isolated, threatened, and coerced into silence by their own families, and the abuse continues, unchecked, for far longer than other forms of domestic abuse. These women live in constant fear, not just of their abusers, but of bringing shame to their families—a concept wrongly tied to so-called “honour.” This is why Freedom Charity uses the term dishonour-based abuse, rejecting the idea that there is any honour in such violence(
)(
).
Embedding Specialists in Control Rooms: A Lifesaving Move
The embedding of domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms is a groundbreaking part of Raneem’s Law. These professionals will be trained to assess risks in real time, ensuring that when victims call for help, they are met with a swift and informed response. Far too many victims, like Raneem, have made multiple attempts to seek help, only to find that their pleas were not met with the urgency required. The role of these specialists will be to ensure that such failures do not happen again.
But this reform goes beyond just responding to calls. The law also introduces Domestic Abuse Protection Orders, which will place tougher restrictions on abusers, including electronic tagging and behaviour-change programmes
Unlike current measures, which expire after just 28 days, these new orders will have no maximum duration, offering long-term protection for victims. Breaching these orders will now be a criminal offence, carrying a sentence of up to five years in prison(
A Cultural Shift in Tackling Domestic Abuse
While these reforms are crucial, we must also recognise that they are part of a broader cultural shift needed in how we address domestic abuse. Jess Phillips MP has been clear in her mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade(
), but this ambition can only be realised if these new measures are implemented with care and rigour.
We need to ensure that every police officer and every specialist is properly trained, not just in recognising the immediate signs of abuse, but in understanding the complex social and cultural dynamics that keep many victims silent. This is especially important in cases of dishonour-based abuse, where victims are often under intense pressure from their families and communities to remain quiet. The response from the authorities must be sensitive, informed, and decisive.
The Way Forward: Turning Words Into Action
At Freedom Charity, we will continue to advocate for the full and effective implementation of Raneem’s Law. The deaths of Raneem Oudeh and her mother should never have happened, and the system must now ensure that such tragedies are never repeated.
The law offers a real opportunity to change the landscape of domestic abuse in the UK, but it must be more than just a well-intentioned policy. It must be backed by proper training, funding, and support at every level of law enforcement. The lives of countless women depend on it.
This is about more than just saving lives—restoring faith in the system and ensuring that every woman who reaches out for help knows she will be heard, protected, and supported. Raneem’s Law is a crucial first step, but much more work must be done.