On the 25th January, Carshalton High School for Girls, a visit from Aneeta Prem who is an author giving out books on “it’s not fair”. Aneeta Prem presented an assembly to students about forced marriages; the book is also based on forced marriages. Mr Tom Brake also attended the assembly. They gave a speech on raising awareness and also organised a Freedom Charity which wants to protect the lives of children and young people by raising awareness of forced marriage in the UK and the associated problem of dishonour-based violence and giving young people the tools and confidence to deal with the problem.
All the students received a free book on forced marriages, which could save their best friends life. It was a great honour for all the students in CHSG who signed all the students’ books. The students read the book within a week and gave out a comment. “As Patron of 'Kids Taskforce', I am so pleased to be writing an introduction to But It’s Not Fair’. I lived for many years as a victim of domestic violence and it was only the first time that I called the police that I realised there were so many people out there who could help and protect me. I hope this book will make the message clear that Freedom Charity, the police and many other organisations across the country are there to give help and support to those in need”. Lynda Bellingham.
The students found out a lot of information on forced marriages such as that up to 8,000 people a year are forced into marriages. Though most victims are of Asian origin, the practice can also be found in other ethnic groups, including African, Arab, Chinese, Greek, Irish, Turkish, former Soviet Union countries as well as the travelling community. The government fully supports that the government’s intention to make forced marriage illegal in England and Wales. Their aim is to spread the word about preventing forced marriages, which is why many schools are being taught and educated about this important charity. This was a great success and all students have learnt about this charity. The response from schools it has been delivered to has been overwhelmingly positive from both pupils and teachers alike.
