Domestic abuse specialists to be placed in 999 control rooms in Wales

Nation.Cymru Staff

Two Welsh police forces will deploy domestic abuse specialists in their 999 control rooms as part of the UK-wide rollout of ‘Raneem’s Law’.

Six months on from the government’s Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, Phase Two of the rollout of ‘Raneem’s Law’ will see domestic abuse specialists embedded in Dyfed-Powys and North Wales Police.

This takes the total number of forces with domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms to 17 across England and Wales.

The measure was established in memory of Raneem Oudeh and her mother Khaola Saleem, who were murdered by Raneem’s ex-husband in August 2018 despite multiple 999 calls to police – who failed to turn up.   

Early reports from police forces suggest that ‘Raneem’s Law’ has led to:

• Increased confidence among call handlers and officers in handling domestic abuse incidents
• Earlier identification of high-risk cases
• Swifter action taken to deploy safeguarding measures and protect victims

Placing domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms aims to strengthen the police response to domestic abuse from the first point of contact.

The specialists oversee how calls for help are assessed and managed, often providing real‑time advice to responding officers and call handlers.   

They can also review cases and risk assessments, support staff training and refer victims to specialist services where needed.

With an estimated 3.8 million people experiencing domestic abuse in last year, the Home Office says the continued expansion of ‘Raneem’s Law’ is a vital step towards ensuring that every victim can rely on a system built to protect them.   

As part of its Violence against Women and Girls Strategy, the UK Government has committed to rolling out ‘Raneem’s Law’ across every police force in England and Wales by 2029.    

Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls Natalie Fleet said: “Last year, one in eight women experienced domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. No society that tolerates this level of violence can claim to be safe for women. 

“That’s why we are rolling out the pioneering ‘Raneem’s Law’ to forces in Wales because every victim – no matter where they live – should be able to rely on a system that truly supports them.     

“But we will not stop there. We will deploy the full power of the state to make this country safe for women and girls.”  

Nour Norris, lead campaigner, aunt and sister of Raneem Oudeh and Khaola Saleem, said: “When my sister Khaola and my niece Raneem called for help, they should have been heard, understood and protected. Instead, our family lost two beautiful lives in circumstances that should never have happened.

“Every step forward for ‘Raneem’s Law’ is deeply emotional for me because it comes from unimaginable pain and loss. Knowing that 12 more police forces will have domestic abuse specialists in their 999 control rooms gives me hope that other families may be spared the heartbreak that ours lives with every day.

“’Raneem’s Law’ is more than a policy. It is a legacy built on love for my sister and niece and on the determination that their voices, and the voices of all victims of domestic abuse, are never ignored again.

“I am incredibly proud to see this expansion and remain committed to ensuring that every victim who reaches out for help is met with understanding, expertise and, most importantly, protection.”

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens added: “The UK Government is working to make our communities safer and it is vital that we reduce violence against women and girls to achieve this goal.

“We know that a specialist focus on preventing domestic abuse works, and I am pleased that this new approach is going to be rolled out across two of our Welsh police force areas.

“Victims of appalling abuse across North Wales and Dyfed Powys will now have the greater protection they deserve.”

The UK Government has also rolled out the Domestic Abuse Protection Orders to provide victims with protection for as long as needed.   

They intend to invest over £1 billion over the next three years to support victims of violence against women and girls, including nearly £500 million for safe accommodation for domestic abuse victims, £550 million for counselling, court guidance and children’s services, and up to £55 million for specialist therapeutic and support.     

This forms part of the government’s Violence against Women and Girls Strategy which deploys the full power of the state to halve this issue in a decade.