Freedom Student Groups
A Freedom Student Group turns concern about forced marriage, FGM and Dishonour Abuse into informed student action — without turning students into caseworkers.
A real student group
More than an awareness table.
Your group can run events, create content, bring people together, challenge myths, fundraise and make campus support easier to find. It can also connect people who care about the same issues across different courses and societies.
The strongest groups do not try to do everything. They pick a few things and do them properly.
Build it properly from day one
Follow your university, college or students’ union rules. Have a small committee and one named contact for Freedom. Agree who handles social media, speakers, money and data. Use current Freedom resources when representing the charity publicly.
Choose your route
What could your group actually do?
Run a strong campus event
Host a talk, panel, Q&A, book discussion or awareness session with a clear purpose and a clear route to help.
Write, record and publish
Create a podcast, interview, article, short film, social post or student-paper piece using accurate information and agreed safeguarding boundaries.
Pick one change
Choose one issue, one audience and one clear ask. A focused campaign is stronger than a busy calendar with no outcome.
Raise money with meaning
Organise a Red Triangle badge action, book event, performance, challenge or fundraiser that also helps people understand why the work matters.
Join up the campus
Work with wellbeing, safeguarding, student services, academic departments or relevant societies so people know where to turn.
Tell Freedom what is missing
Test resources, identify confusing messages and tell us what students think universities and professionals need to understand better.
Bring people together
Invite a Freedom speaker.
Ask Freedom about a talk, Q&A, book event or panel for your university or college. A student group can help shape the questions, introduce the session and follow up afterwards.
Campaign with something concrete
Use the Red Triangle.
With the right permissions, a badge action can give students an easy way into a difficult conversation. Pair it with a stall, short talk, reading list or campus event so the symbol has meaning.
The Freedom Method
Know. Notice. Respond. Change.
Use current Freedom facts and separate law, evidence, guidance and opinion.
Recognise warning signs, coercion, unsafe assumptions and gaps in response.
Listen, stay within role and use the agreed support route. Do not investigate or contact family members yourself.
Turn what you learn into better information, campaigning, partnerships or safer practice.
Your first term
Three good things are enough.
A crowded calendar can hide weak impact. Start with three deliberate actions and learn from them.
Run one learning event
A strong talk, panel, reading group or discussion is enough if people leave knowing more and knowing where help is.
Choose one campaign or improvement
Pick one issue, one audience and one clear ask. If you cannot explain it in one sentence, make it smaller.
Build one useful relationship
Connect with a students’ union team, wellbeing or safeguarding service, academic department or relevant society.
Safeguarding boundary
You are not a casework service.
If somebody asks for help, listen without interrogating. Do not investigate, contact family members or alleged perpetrators, mediate, promise absolute confidentiality or make a safety plan for somebody else.
Use the safeguarding or support route you have been given. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Build something that lasts
Leave a group, not a gap.
Hand over properly
Bring newer students into planning early. Keep a simple term record. Transfer passwords, permissions and contacts securely before committee members leave.
Keep what you learn
Record what worked, what failed, what questions students kept asking and anything Freedom should improve in its resources or approach.
Download
Keep the Student Guide.
The full practical guide covers setting up the group, campaigns, safeguarding boundaries, events and handover.
Need help?
Talk to Freedom.
If you are starting a group, planning an event or unsure whether an activity is appropriate, contact Freedom before you launch it publicly.
Ready?
Start a Freedom Student Group.
University or college students can contact Freedom to discuss the group, current resources and the right first step.
Freedom Student Groups · Resource version September 2026 · Published by Freedom Charity