The Red Triangle
Freedom’s Red Triangle gives supporters a visible way to reject FGM, begin conversations and show solidarity with girls at risk and survivors.
Buy through Freedom CharityPREVENTION · EDUCATION · PROTECTION
Freedom Charity
Freedom Charity was co-founded in 2009 by Aneeta Prem and Lord Toby Harris to confront forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) and dishonour abuse, often described elsewhere as honour-based abuse. From the outset, one of Freedom’s primary aims was to see forced marriage become a criminal offence.
Freedom combines education, professional training, public campaigning and practical information to help people recognise danger earlier and reach specialist support safely.
Why Freedom was founded
Aneeta’s experience as a magistrate, karate instructor and member of the Metropolitan Police Authority informed her understanding of confidence, public protection and the importance of acting before a crisis. She saw that law mattered, but so did the knowledge available to a child, friend, teacher, police officer or health professional.
Freedom was built around prevention as well as response. It gives children language to recognise coercion and abuse, equips adults to identify risk and points people towards specialist help.
What Freedom addresses
Forced marriage and child marriage
Female genital mutilation
Dishonour abuse and coercive control
Virginity testing and hymenoplasty
Modern slavery and domestic servitude
Safeguarding education and professional responsibility
EDUCATION BEFORE CRISIS
Give children language before danger becomes silence
Freedom’s school work includes assemblies, workshops, lessons and teachers’ resources designed to help young people recognise coercion, understand that seeking protection is not betrayal and know where help can be found.
The educational approach does not ask a child to disclose in public. It uses stories, discussion and clear routes to help so that safeguarding conversations can begin safely.
Changing law and practice
The criminalisation of forced marriage was one of Freedom’s primary aims from the outset. Aneeta Prem later gave oral evidence to Parliament in support of criminalisation. The offence came into force in England and Wales on 16 June 2014, and the same Act also criminalised forced marriage in Scotland; Northern Ireland uses separate legislation. Freedom marked the change with #Freedom2Choose, a campaign film featuring Home Secretary Theresa May, Aneeta Prem, the Forced Marriage Unit, police, the Crown Prosecution Service, a barrister and a survivor.
The charity has also campaigned against virginity testing and hymenoplasty and supported the movement to raise the minimum marriage age to 18 in England and Wales.
Freedom’s contribution is best understood as sustained campaigning, education and policy engagement alongside the work of survivors, charities, professionals, parliamentarians and government.
DIRECT SUPPORT
Where to get help
Freedom developed an information and rescue app with the Forced Marriage Unit and the police, designed to place trusted information and routes to support within rapid reach of a victim, friend or professional.
Aneeta.com does not provide safeguarding casework. For current specialist support routes, go directly to Freedom Charity. If you are in immediate danger in the UK, call 999. If you are outside the UK, contact the local police or emergency services. British nationals abroad who are at risk of forced marriage should contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate. If you are not British, contact the embassy or consulate of your nationality.
Visit Freedom Charity for supportCampaigns and conversation
Not in My Name
Freedom’s Not in My Name campaign calls on boys and men to reject FGM, forced marriage and violence justified through family or community reputation. Prevention is not women’s work alone.
View the Not in My Name campaignBooks that open conversations
Aneeta wrote But It’s Not Fair and Cut Flowers to help young readers approach forced marriage and FGM through fiction alongside responsible safeguarding practice.
Explore the booksQuick answers
Who co-founded Freedom Charity?
Freedom Charity was co-founded in 2009 by Aneeta Prem and Lord Toby Harris.
What does Freedom Charity do?
Freedom works to prevent and respond to forced marriage, FGM and dishonour abuse through education, professional training, campaigns, practical resources and routes to specialist support.
Is Aneeta.com Freedom’s official support service?
No. Aneeta.com explains Aneeta’s public work. People seeking specialist or urgent support should use Freedom Charity’s official website and its current support information.