Domestic abuse specialists are being embedded within Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s control room as part of a pilot scheme designed to strengthen support for victims and improve the force’s response to reports of abuse.
The initiative, funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, will see specialists from charity Stop Domestic Abuse working alongside call handlers 7 days a week.
The experts will provide advice and support to staff dealing with initial reports, review decisions made by call handlers and help identify missed opportunities to safeguard victims.
The scheme also aims to improve the identification and disruption of perpetrators.
The move forms part of the national rollout of Raneem’s Law, which was introduced following the murders of Raneem Oudeh and her mother, Khaola Saleem, in the West Midlands in August 2018.
Despite 13 previous reports to police about concerns for Raneem’s safety, and 4 emergency 999 calls made on the night she was killed, officers failed to reach her in time.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has been selected as one of the forces taking part in the second phase of the Home Office pilot.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Donna Jones, has said:
“This pilot will give domestic abuse victims in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight the chance that Raneem Oudeh sadly never had.
“The addition of these domestic abuse specialists will help us to further provide the best service we can to victims and survivors of domestic abuse.”
Ms Jones says she has invested £6.5million this financial year into supporting victims and tackling violence against women and girls, including funding for services aimed at perpetrators and stalking prevention.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s Domestic Abuse Tactical Lead, Detective Chief Inspector Alex Spratt has 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.
“We want victims to know they will be heard, taken seriously, and treated with consistency, support and compassion.”
Rachel Windebank, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Stop Domestic Abuse, has said:
“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.”
Under Raneem’s Law, the Home Office has pledged to introduce domestic abuse specialists across every police force in England and Wales by 2029.
Great news , let’s hope it can save some people from the awful things they are facing