A new pilot has been launched which sees domestic abuse specialists embedded in police contact centres to provide enhanced support to victims of domestic abuse.
Thames Valley Police, working with Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), launched its Raneem’s Law pilot earlier this month.
The pilot, which is part of a national Home Office programme, and commissioned by the OPCC, has now embedded four Domestic Abuse Specialists from the domestic abuse charity Aurora New Dawn.
Raneem’s law was introduced by the government following the tragic death of Raneem Oudeh.
Raneem and her mother Khaola Saleem, were both murdered by her ex-partner in 2018 following repeated attempts to call for help into West Midlands Police.
The pilot was introduced as a result of findings in this tragic case.
The specialists are supporting Thames Valley Police’s response to domestic abuse, and are already in place working alongside staff and officers to review domestic abuse calls both in real time or shortly after a call.
They have been helping to assess risk, identify safeguarding opportunities, as well as offering advice to our officers and staff.
The specialists are located in the Contact Management Centres across Abingdon, Milton Keynes and Kidlington.
Detective Superintendent Holly Stockwell who is the force lead for Domestic Abuse, said: “The Domestic Abuse Specialists provided by Aurora New Dawn, within our Contact Management Centres are already embedded and providing vital support to our staff and officers.
“This is a hugely positive step and will enhance the good work the force is doing to protect victims and survivors of domestic abuse, give them the support they need, and will also assist in bringing perpetrators to justice.
“We are committed to using every tool available to us to help tackle domestic abuse, and I would like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who is being subjected to domestic abuse to come forward.
“We want to know you are not alone, we are here to support and protect you, and will work tirelessly to bring your abuser to justice.
“If you are in immediate danger then call 999, or you can go to our website to find information on other ways to report and also how to access support from other agencies.”
The Domestic Abuse Specialists are also supporting the Rapid Video Response teams which have been launched by the force, and offer an optional video call with a frontline officer for victims reporting non-emergency domestic abuse incidents.
It is also hoped the specialists will support with ongoing training of our officers and staff.
Operations Director of Aurora New Dawn, Lyn Tiller, said: “Aurora New Dawn is proud to be partnering with Thames Valley Police and the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to deliver this project.
“Our Domestic Abuse Specialists will work alongside police call handlers to support the assessment of domestic abuse-related calls and help ensure that a high-quality, appropriate, and consistent response is provided.
“This collaborative approach aims to strengthen the initial response to domestic abuse, ensuring that victims and survivors receive the right support from their very first contact with the police.”
Thames Valley Police has also been working in partnership with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary to roll out the pilot.
Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police Jason Hogg, said: I believe that introducing Raneem’s Law will enable us to identify those most at risk in the Thames Valley, so that we can take action to protect them.
“We are fully committed to tackling domestic abuse and will continue to work in partnership with organisations such as Aurora New Dawn, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and our colleagues at Hampshire Constabulary, as well as other partners in order to tackle domestic abuse which is force priority and has been declared a national emergency.
“We must all work together to act and speak up, to encourage victims to come forward and give them the confidence that their voices will be heard and to protect people in our communities.”
