Police Launch Domestic Abuse Program in Memory of Raneem Oudeh

West Midlands Police started a new program to help domestic abuse victims. This followed a tragic murder where a woman and her mother were killed. It’s called “Raneem’s Law.”

Domestic abuse experts will now work in police control rooms to give advice and support, aiming to find missed chances to protect victims. Raneem Oudeh was murdered by her ex-partner, Janbaz Tarin.

Raneem, 22, broke up with Tarin after learning he had a wife and kids. She called 999 for help, but Tarin attacked her, stabbing Raneem and her mother, Khaola Saleem, outside their home in Solihull in 2018. They were talking to the police at the time.

Raneem’s aunt stated that police had dismissed earlier calls. Tarin admitted guilt and received a life prison sentence with a minimum of 32 years. In 2022, police apologized to the family. A coroner also stated that police made many mistakes leading to the murders.

Relatives campaigned for change, and West Midlands Police will trial experts in control rooms. Four other police forces will do this too. Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid and Coventry Haven Women’s Aid will help.

Raneem’s aunt, Nour Norris, said the system finally answered and that she campaigned for six years to change things and is returning to the police to help. Nourris stated that Raneem had called for help, and the system did not listen or act, and this failure caused their deaths.

Norris is working with the government and police, as Raneem’s Law is now beginning to change how victims get support. She wants vicitms to live free from fear, stating that change happens when we refuse failure and must build safeguards now.

The specialists ensure calls are assessed properly. They advise officers at the scene, reviewing abuse cases and risk levels. They listen to live calls, give advice to call handlers, and train control room staff to ensure victims get support, checking decisions on 999 calls for errors and supporting the use of videocalls.

The government will work with the police on this. If it works, all police forces could use it.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper spoke about domestic abuse calls, wanting to improve the police response, saying Raneem and Khaola’s legacy must be this change. Jess Phillips said Raneem’s death reveals the cost of missed chances and that every 999 call is someone in fear, making getting the response right, crucial.

Supt Jack Hadley said they improved support for victims. The trial will improve their response to victims, with experts reviewing 999 call decisions, developing risk plans, and giving feedback.