The government has announced that domestic abuse specialists will be embedded in 999 control rooms starting early next year in an effort to reduce violence against women and girls. These specialists will make risk assessments on cases involving rape, domestic abuse, and sexual abuse to ensure that victims are referred to support services promptly. This initiative is part of “Raneem’s Law” in memory of Raneem Oudeh and her mother, Khaola Saleem, who were tragically murdered in 2018 by Raneem’s ex-husband.
Additionally, a new Domestic Abuse Protection Order pilot will be launched in November to provide better protection for domestic abuse victims. The orders will require abusers to stay away from their victims and face stricter sanctions if they fail to comply. These orders will cover all forms of domestic abuse, including violence, stalking, and controlling behavior, and breaching them will be a criminal offense.
The government has also launched a five-year package of measures to ensure offenders of sexual violence are brought to justice and victims are properly supported. However, there are concerns about delays in the criminal justice system, with rape victims facing up to a three-year delay from reporting the crime to the end of their attackers’ trials. The number of rape suspects being charged has also decreased, prompting the need for further action to address these issues.
Overall, these initiatives aim to provide better protection and support for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence while holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
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