22 November, 2013

Three women have been freed from a London house where they were held for 30 years as slaves. One of the women, it is thought, was born in captivity. A man and a woman have been arrested.

There are so many shocking aspects to this horrific story. But we want to take a moment to praise the charity that saved these three women.

The Freedom Charity, a small organisation raising awareness of child abuse, dishonour-based violence, child marriages and forced marriage, was contacted by one of the women, who had seen founder Aneeta Prem on a TV documentary.

The woman found the courage to call the charity’s helpline. Freedom contacted and worked with the police in what was obviously a very delicate operation. And they continued to talk to the women to gain their trust, provide support and set up their release.

Aneeta Prem has said that the charity was completely out of its comfort zone, plunged into a situation unlike any they had seen before. But this tiny team, operating on a shoe-string budget, rose to the immense challenge.

How refreshing, moving and inspiring. A team of brave and compassionate individuals simply responding to the needs of three desperate and terrified people.

If anyone needs a reminder of what ‘charity’ is (should be) about, and the power for good that’s in each of us, there we have it.