Improving police support to domestic abuse victims

An initiative to improve police support to victims of domestic abuse is now being trialled across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Domestic Abuse (DA) specialists are being embedded into the police control room to provide support and advice to those handling initial reports of domestic abuse, and make it easier to identify and disrupt perpetrators, ultimately to reduce harm to victims.

Call handlers’ decisions will be reviewed, ensuring any missed opportunities to safeguard victims are quickly identified, with feedback provided on victim engagement, giving consistency of support and helping inform future planning.

Funded by Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, the DA specialists will be provided by the charity Stop Domestic Abuse seven days a week.

The move is part of a phased national roll-out by the Home Office for Raneem’s Law following the tragic death of Raneem Oudeh and her mother, Khaola Saleem, in the West Midlands, who were murdered by Raneem’s ex-partner in August 2018.

There had previously been 13 reports made to the police regarding concerns for Raneem’s safety. On the night she was killed, Raneem made four emergency calls to 999, but the police failed to respond in time.

‘Raneem’s Law’ aims to strengthen police responses to domestic abuse, with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary (HIOWC) selected as one of the forces to pilot it in the second phase of a nationwide roll-out.

Donna Jones said: “This pilot will give domestic abuse victims in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight the chance that Raneem Oudeh sadly never had.

“The staff in our control room work tirelessly in what is often a high-pressure environment. The addition of these DA specialists will help us to further provide the best service we can to victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

“Working with Stop Domestic Abuse, one of the local DA commissioned services, helps to underpin my commitment to helping take action on violence against women and girls across our two counties.”

As Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones has invested £6.5m this financial year into supporting victims and tackling violence against women and girls.

This includes almost £1m for a new DA service for “People Causing Harm” delivered by the Hampton Trust as well as the Multi-Agency Stalking Partnership.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s Domestic Abuse tactical lead, Detective Chief Inspector Alex Spratt said: “It is vital that we strengthen our response to domestic abuse from the first point of contact, so victims have the confidence to come forward, which is why embedding expertise and victim advocacy at the earliest opportunity is key.

“Raneem’s law ensures officers and staff have the necessary awareness, knowledge and confidence to allow them to use their own professional curiosity when dealing with a call or incidents of domestic abuse. If required, specialists can help assess risk and identify safeguarding opportunities as well as offer advice to responding officers.

“We want victims to know they will be heard, taken seriously, and treated with consistency, support and compassion. Protecting victims is not just a policing responsibility – it’s a shared responsibility between services, communities, and individuals to speak up and act and we are grateful for the expertise that Stop Domestic Abuse contributes by working with us to improve our response to domestic abuse.

“We hope Raneem’s Law will ensure a more co-ordinated approach and encourage victims to come forward, feeling confident they will be listened to and taken seriously.”

Rachel Windebank, Deputy CEO at Stop Domestic Abuse added: “At Stop Domestic Abuse, we know how crucial those first moments of contact are for someone reaching out in fear.

“Embedding our domestic abuse specialists into the police control room will strengthen that frontline response and help ensure victims are met with understanding, urgency and care.

“This partnership represents a meaningful step toward safer outcomes for victims and their families, and we are proud to be working with the Police and Crime Commissioner and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary on this important pilot for Raneem’s Law”

Under Raneem’s Law, the Home Office pledges that domestic abuse specialists will be deployed across every police force in England and Wales by 2029.