aneeta Prem MBE

Aneeta Prem MBE is the founder of Freedom Charity, a national safeguarding charity established in 2009 to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from forced marriage, FGM and dishonour abuse. For more than fifteen years, Aneeta has worked to bring hidden abuse into public view and turn awareness into practical protection. Freedom Charity’s work includes school books, resources, helpline support, a 24/7 help app, training, awareness and the red triangle badge, a visible symbol against abuse. Aneeta introduced Not In My Name to bring boys and young men into prevention, not as bystanders but as voices prepared to reject forced marriage, FGM, coercion and abuse. Her work recognises that girls and women need protection, and that boys and men must be part of the answer. Aneeta is the author of But It’s Not Fair and Cut Flowers, books written to help young people understand coercion, consent, forced marriage, FGM, abuse and personal safety. Freedom Charity has donated more than 100,000 books to children, schools, professionals and libraries. Her campaigning helped push these harms into national debate, including forced marriage, virginity testing, hymenoplasty and child marriage. She uses the term dishonour abuse because “honour” is the language of perpetrators, not victims. Aneeta’s public service includes serving on the Metropolitan Police Authority, chairing a £1.3 billion property portfolio, sitting as a London magistrate and chairing adult, family and youth panels. She was also one of the UK’s youngest Asian female black belt karate instructors. Her recognition includes an Honorary Doctor of Letters, a Point of Light Award and an MBE. She is CEO of TNA UK, where she advocates for people with trigeminal neuralgia and hidden disability. Aneeta has shown that one woman can challenge silence, bring boys and men into prevention, and build practical routes to safety for people too often unseen.