Freedom Charity 24/7 UK Helpline: Emergency Support for Forced Marriage, FGM and Dishonour Abuse
By Aneeta Prem | London, UK
Published: 23 February 2026, 09:00 GMT
Freedom Charity’s 24/7 UK helpline provides emergency safeguarding support in the UK for forced marriage, FGM and dishonour abuse, including urgent advice for professionals.
Today, I want to recognise the professionals behind the Freedom Charity 24/7 UK helpline because they answer some of the most serious safeguarding calls in the country. This is not a routine advice line. Instead, it provides urgent support when delay can increase risk.
Why the Freedom Charity helpline matters
The Freedom Charity 24/7 UK helpline exists for situations where waiting may not be safe. In these cases, circumstances can change quickly, and risk can escalate without warning.
For example, travel may be arranged, school attendance may stop, contact may be restricted, or a phone may be taken away. As a result, a victim, survivor or professional may have only one brief and safe window to ask for help.
This is what some frontline professionals describe as a last chance rule. In practice, this means there may be a final safe chance to act before communication closes or danger increases.
Therefore, the response must be immediate, calm and informed.
Emergency support for victims, survivors and professionals
The Freedom Charity 24/7 UK helpline supports people at risk of forced marriage, FGM and dishonour abuse. However, it also supports professionals who need specialist safeguarding advice in urgent cases.
For instance, schools, social care teams, health professionals and frontline staff may need fast guidance after a disclosure or when they identify warning signs. In those moments, generic advice is often not enough. Instead, they need specialist support from people who understand this field and can help them act safely under pressure.
That is why this helpline matters.
What makes the Freedom Charity 24/7 UK helpline different
Our helpline is staffed by experienced professionals who bring judgement, skill and humanity to every call.
They do not treat these cases as routine.
They understand why timing matters.
They recognise when a caller may be speaking in fear.
They know that one careful conversation can help protect a life.
Because of that, the team focuses on clear communication, practical safeguarding steps and immediate support.
A lifeline when time is running out
Some calls are about information. Others are about urgent protection.
That distinction matters because people often contact the Freedom Charity 24/7 UK helpline during fear, confusion or crisis. In some cases, a caller may be reaching out during what feels like a final safe chance to seek help.
For that reason, the helpline team must listen closely, respond carefully and stay calm. They do exactly that.
A thank you to the professionals behind the line
Today, I want to thank the professionals behind the Freedom Charity 24/7 UK helpline for work that is skilled, brave and deeply important.
You support people facing fear, pressure and control.
You help professionals make safer decisions in high-risk cases.
You bring clarity in emergencies, and you do so with compassion and professionalism.
Most importantly, you understand that in some situations, there may be only one safe chance to reach someone before the danger increases.
That expertise matters, and that work saves lives.
If you need urgent help
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
If you need urgent support relating to forced marriage, FGM or dishonour abuse, contact the Freedom Charity 24/7 UK helpline.
If you are a professional managing a high-risk case, you can also contact us for specialist safeguarding support.
Need urgent safeguarding support?
Contact the Freedom Charity 24/7 UK helpline for support relating to forced marriage, FGM and dishonour abuse in the UK.
Donate now to help save lives
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.