Campaign for Change | Raneem’s Law

Background to the Campaign:

Raneem’s Law was introduced in response to the tragic murders of 22-year-old Raneem Oudeh and her mother, Khaola Saleem, in 2018. Raneem had been a victim of domestic abuse and had made multiple emergency calls reporting threats to her life. Despite her repeated pleas for help, the lack of proper response from authorities resulted in their deaths. This devastating failure of the emergency services highlighted the need for urgent reforms in how domestic violence cases were handled. The case revealed systemic issues, including a lack of specialist knowledge among emergency responders and insufficient prioritisation of domestic abuse calls.

Aims of the Campaign:

The campaign for Raneem’s Law aimed to improve the emergency response to domestic abuse incidents and ensure that victims’ voices were heard and acted upon. A key objective was to guarantee that calls related to domestic violence were treated with the urgency and seriousness they required. The campaign also sought to establish robust protective measures for victims, such as long-term Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs), offering enhanced safety and security. Furthermore, it aimed to ensure better training for emergency call handlers so they could recognise signs of domestic abuse and respond appropriately.

Key People Involved:

Raneem’s aunt, Nour Norris, played a pivotal role in the campaign. Motivated by the loss of her niece and sister, she became a passionate and tireless advocate for domestic abuse victims. Her dedication to justice and commitment to ensuring no other family experienced a similar tragedy fuelled the campaign’s momentum. Nour Norris worked closely with domestic abuse charities and support organisations, as well as legal experts and government officials, to push for comprehensive legal reforms. Their collective efforts helped bring the issue to national attention and created a strong foundation for legislative change.

Processes Used:

The campaign utilised a wide range of methods to push for change. Media engagement was crucial, with Nour Norris sharing Raneem’s story through interviews, articles, and social media to raise awareness of the failures that led to their deaths. Collaborations with domestic abuse organisations strengthened the campaign’s credibility and provided expert insights into the changes needed. Public petitions demonstrated widespread support for the campaign’s objectives, while meetings with policymakers and law enforcement agencies ensured that the proposed reforms were feasible and well-informed. Awareness-raising events and community outreach further galvanised support, creating a powerful movement for change.

Outcome of the Campaign:

Raneem’s Law was enacted in 2024, bringing vital and long-overdue changes to the way domestic abuse cases were managed in the UK. The law mandated the embedding of domestic abuse specialists within 999 control rooms, ensuring that emergency calls from abuse victims were prioritised and handled by trained experts. It also introduced Domestic Abuse Protection Orders, offering long-term safety measures such as electronic tagging for perpetrators and more stringent restrictions on their behaviour. These measures provided victims with enhanced protection and support, helping to prevent future tragedies. Raneem’s Law has been hailed as a significant advancement in safeguarding domestic abuse victims and ensuring their cries for help are never ignored again.

For further information on Raneem’s Law see the following links:

BBC (February 2025) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/art...

Karma Nirvana (Domestic Abuse Charity) (February 2025) https://karmanirvana.org.uk/ne...