Raneem’s Law

raneems law

Raneem’s Law: what it means for domestic abuse victims

Raneem’s Law marks an important change in the UK’s response to domestic abuse. It places domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms so police can recognise risk faster when victims call for help.

Emergency calls can reveal immediate danger, repeated abuse and missed warning signs. For that reason, the reform matters.

Yet the law will only protect victims if police forces back it with trained staff, fast attendance, proper safeguarding and clear accountability.

Why was Raneem’s Law created?

Raneem’s Law takes its name from Raneem Oudeh, who died alongside her mother, Khaola Saleem, in 2018.

Before her death, Raneem contacted police several times. On the night she died, she made repeated 999 calls. The danger appeared clearly, but the response failed.

That history gives Raneem’s Law its moral force. Warning signs must never sit unanswered when a victim faces immediate danger.

Domestic abuse calls can involve fear, control, stalking, threats, children, separation risk, previous incidents and a perpetrator who has already escalated.

When police miss that pattern, the consequences can become fatal.

What does Raneem’s Law do?

Raneem’s Law places domestic abuse specialists inside 999 control rooms.

These specialists support emergency call handlers, identify risk, advise officers and help victims reach specialist services.

Their role matters because a victim may struggle to explain the full danger clearly. Fear can affect how someone speaks. A caller may sound hesitant, confused or unsure.

In some cases, the perpetrator may stand nearby. A child may sit in the room. Family members may listen. The caller may not have enough safety to say what is really happening.

Specialist knowledge can help police understand the risk behind the words.

Why specialist understanding matters

Domestic abuse often appears as a pattern, not a single incident.

One call may involve stalking, coercive control, threats, financial abuse, forced marriage, FGM, immigration control, separation risk or pressure from more than one family member.

Without specialist training, police may treat a dangerous pattern as a private argument or isolated dispute.

Freedom Charity believes Raneem’s Law must include a wider understanding of abuse. Professionals need to recognise coercive control, forced marriage, FGM and dishonour abuse, not just visible injury.

One caller may fear a partner.

Another person may fear relatives.

Someone else may face pressure to marry, threats of being taken abroad, or violence linked to family reputation.

The system must hear what fear sounds like, even when the victim cannot explain everything.

How is Raneem’s Law being introduced?

The Government launched Raneem’s Law in five police forces: West Midlands, Northumbria, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Humberside.

Those forces use domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms to improve the first response to victims. The Government has said that learning from those areas will inform wider rollout.

That approach makes sense, but ministers and police leaders must avoid slow or uneven delivery.

A victim in one police force area should not receive a stronger emergency response than a victim somewhere else.

What could make Raneem’s Law work?

Raneem’s Law could save lives if police forces implement it properly.

Specialists need enough time, authority and access to information. Control-room staff also need training that goes beyond basic awareness.

Frontline officers must understand the risk once they attend. Senior leaders should test whether the system changes outcomes, not just internal processes.

The law also needs proper data.

Police forces should publish information on response times, repeat calls, referrals, arrests, safeguarding action, missed opportunities and outcomes. Without that transparency, the public cannot know whether Raneem’s Law works.

What could make Raneem’s Law fail?

Raneem’s Law could fail if ministers and police forces treat it as a headline rather than an operational duty.

Too few specialists will weaken the model. Limited overnight cover will leave gaps. Poor frontline training will reduce the value of specialist advice.

Slow attendance can still place victims at risk.

Several questions matter.

How many specialists will each control room have?

Does cover run through the night and at weekends?

Can call handlers link earlier reports and repeat calls quickly?

Do frontline officers receive the same depth of domestic abuse training?

What response time applies when a specialist identifies high risk?

Who takes responsibility if police downgrade or mishandle a dangerous call?

These are life-and-death questions, not administrative details.

Domestic Abuse Protection Orders and Raneem’s Law

Raneem’s Law sits alongside wider domestic abuse reforms, including Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 created DAPNs and DAPOs. These measures can place restrictions on perpetrators. In some cases, courts can also order electronic monitoring.

However, these orders are separate from Raneem’s Law.

That distinction matters. Raneem’s Law focuses on the emergency response to 999 calls. DAPNs and DAPOs focus on protective action against perpetrators.

Both measures can help victims, but neither will work without enforcement. When someone breaches an order, police must act quickly.

Court delay can weaken protection. Poor enforcement can leave victims exposed. Legal protection must mean real protection.

Why education still matters

Emergency response can save lives, but prevention must start earlier.

Freedom Charity works with children, young people, schools and professionals to challenge coercion, control, forced marriage, FGM, dishonour abuse and exploitation.

Laws matter, but education helps people recognise abuse before it escalates. Young people need to understand consent, pressure, control, misogyny and the difference between love and ownership.

Through our Not In My Name campaign, Freedom Charity also encourages boys and men to become part of the solution.

Raneem’s Law can improve the emergency response. Education can help stop more emergencies from happening.

Both approaches must work together.

Freedom Charity’s view on Raneem’s Law

Freedom Charity welcomes the principle behind Raneem’s Law. Domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms could help police recognise danger earlier and respond with greater understanding.

However, the law must face a practical test.

A specialist can identify risk, but police must still reach the victim in time. Officers must safeguard children. The system must manage perpetrators. Victims need support after the call.

Protection orders must also lead to real action when perpetrators breach them.

Raneem and Khaola did not die because no warnings existed. They died after the system failed to act on those warnings.

Raneem’s Law must make sure the next warning leads to immediate action.

Support Freedom Charity

Freedom Charity works to protect children, young people and people at risk of forced marriage, FGM, dishonour abuse, virginity testing, coercive control and exploitation.

You can support our work by sharing our resources, booking safeguarding education, using the Freedom App, supporting our helpline and donating to help us reach people who feel too frightened to ask for help.

FAQs

What is Raneem’s Law?

Raneem’s Law places domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms. It aims to help police recognise risk faster when victims call for emergency help.

Why does Raneem’s Law carry Raneem Oudeh’s name?

The law takes its name from Raneem Oudeh, who died alongside her mother, Khaola Saleem, in 2018 after repeated missed opportunities to protect them.

Does Raneem’s Law create Domestic Abuse Protection Orders?

No. Raneem’s Law focuses on domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 created Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders.

Can Raneem’s Law save lives?

Raneem’s Law could save lives if police forces fund, staff and enforce it properly. Specialists can identify risk, but victims still need fast police attendance, safeguarding and support after the call.

Why does Freedom Charity link Raneem’s Law to forced marriage, FGM and dishonour abuse?

Some victims face abuse from more than one person or from wider family networks. Police training must recognise hidden abuse, forced marriage, FGM, dishonour abuse and coercive control.

What should someone do in immediate danger?

If someone faces immediate danger, they should call 999 and ask for the police. If they cannot speak and they call from a mobile, they can press 55 when prompted.

Author

Aneeta Prem MBE founded Freedom Charity and wrote But It’s Not Fair and Cut Flowers. Freedom Charity protects children, young people and people at risk of forced marriage, FGM, dishonour abuse, virginity testing, coercive control and exploitation through education, safeguarding awareness and practical support.

Sources

GOV.UK: First domestic abuse specialists embedded in 999 control rooms

GOV.UK: Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders guidance

Domestic Abuse Act 2021

Office for National Statistics: Domestic abuse in England and Wales

Refuge: Domestic abuse facts and statistics