No one should be forced into marriage, subjected to female genital mutilation or threatened in the name of family ‘honour’. Freedom Charity is a UK safeguarding charity working to prevent this abuse and help people find support.
250K+
Freedom App downloads
100K+
books donated
2009
Freedom Charity founded
What Freedom Charity does
Freedom Charity works to prevent forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) and Dishonour Abuse. Its work includes school education, professional safeguarding training, books and lesson resources, the Freedom App, public awareness, policy work and a specialist helpline.
Understand the issues
These are the issues people most often come to Freedom to understand. Each section links to detailed safeguarding information, law, warning signs and routes to help.
A forced marriage is one in which one or both people do not freely consent, or cannot consent. Pressure or abuse may be involved, but coercion is not required where a person cannot consent. It is different from an arranged marriage, where both people remain free to say no.
Forced marriage guidance →Female genital mutilation involves procedures that intentionally alter or injure the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. FGM has no health benefits and is a safeguarding and human-rights issue.
FGM guidance →Freedom uses Dishonour Abuse for abuse sometimes described as “honour-based abuse”. It can include coercion, control, threats, violence, forced marriage, FGM and abuse linked to perceived shame or family reputation.
Dishonour Abuse guidance →Freedom campaigned against virginity testing and hymenoplasty. Both are criminal offences across the UK under the Health and Care Act 2022.
Read the guidance →Transnational marriage abandonment can involve a spouse being taken abroad and deliberately left there without documents, money or a safe route home. It may form part of wider domestic or Dishonour Abuse.
Learn more →Freedom’s specialist helpline provides information and support for people affected by forced marriage, FGM and Dishonour Abuse, and for people seeking safeguarding information. If the helpline is not answered, use the statutory or specialist services listed on the helpline page. In immediate danger, call 999.
Helpline information →Schools, professionals and communities
Freedom’s work is designed to help people recognise risk earlier, respond safely and prevent abuse before it escalates.
Lesson resources, assemblies, books and school visits on forced marriage, FGM, consent, coercion and safeguarding.
For schoolsTraining for safeguarding professionals, education, police, health, social care and other organisations.
For professionalsThe Freedom App gives users quick access to information and routes to help. It has been downloaded more than 250,000 times.
Freedom AppBut It’s Not Fair and Cut Flowers help open age-appropriate safeguarding conversations on forced marriage and FGM.
Shop Freedom
Books and Red Triangle
Freedom has donated more than 100,000 books. The Red Triangle Badge is Freedom Charity’s visible symbol against FGM. Purchases support the charity’s prevention, education and safeguarding work.
Freedom Charity won the Community Organisation Award for Gender.
Freedom’s forced-marriage and FGM lesson packs have received the PSHE Association Quality Mark.
Freedom publishes information about its work, reach and safeguarding activity for supporters, schools and professionals.
Donate to Freedom Charity
Support can strengthen prevention, practical routes to help, professional responses, public awareness, technology, evidence and education for people affected by forced marriage, FGM and Dishonour Abuse.
Latest from Freedom
19 September 2026
Freedom Charity has won the Community Organisation Award for Gender at the 2026 National Diversity Awards.
Read the latest story →Need help? Freedom’s specialist helpline provides information and support. If the helpline is not answered, use the statutory or specialist services listed on the helpline page. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Helpline information
