A charity's role in the rescue of three women from domestic slavery is a positive reminder of how media attention on charities' work can benefit those most in need, says the Small Charities Coalition.
The Freedom Charity played a huge role in aiding the rescue of the three women who were held against their will for 30 years in South London. The victims contacted the charity after watching an ITV documentary on forced marriages which featured it.
A British woman, 30, a Malaysian woman, 69, and an Irish woman, 57 were rescued on 25 October.
DI Kevin Hyland from the Metropolitan Police’s Human Trafficking Unit said: “We applaud the actions of Freedom Charity and are working in partnership to support these victims who appear to have been held for over 30 years. We have launched an extensive investigation to establish the facts surrounding these very serious allegations.”
He continued: "A television documentary on forced marriages relating to the work of Freedom Charity was the catalyst that prompted one of the victims to call for help and led to their rescue.”
Liz Dyer, services manager at the Small Charities Coalition, said: “There are thousands of small charities across the UK doing fantastic work for a variety of causes. Due to their size they often don't have the time, resources and know-how to reach out to the press and get the media coverage they need and deserve.”
She added: “It is also a reminder that the media has a responsibility to give fair coverage to charities, bringing to light the positive impact they have on some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”
The charity, which has only been registered with the Charity Commission since 2011, received a call on 18 October from one of the women, who had secretly gained access to a phone.
The Freedom Charity stayed in contact with the women, who were living in horrific conditions, over the next few days until the three of them walked free from the house when its occupants were not around and into the safety of waiting police officers in late October.
News of their escape was met by cheers at the Freedom Charity office.
Aneeta Prem, founder of the charity which has only been registered with the Charity Commission since 2011, said: “Freedom Charity, hearing about the situation of the women, took immediate action in planning their safe rescue. Facilitating their escape was achieved using utmost sensitivity and secrecy and with the safety of the women as our primary concern.”
"I would like to praise the outstanding work of the Freedom Charity team and partners for getting the women to a place of safety.”
Lord Toby Harris tweeted: “As their chair, I am so proud of the work of Freedom Charity in freeing three women held as slaves for thirty years.”
A man and a woman, both 67, were arrested in Lambeth and later bailed until January.
Freedom Charity, which last year had an income of £48,607, aims to empower young people to tackle family-related actions such as early and forced marriage and dishonour-based violence.
