“Welcome to my official website. I was born and raised within the sound of London’s Bow Bells, with family roots in Himachal Pradesh, India, known as “the Land of the Gods”. I am a UK author, human rights campaigner, safeguarding expert, charity leader and CEO of Trigeminal Neuralgia Association UK. My work spans children’s rights, forced marriage, FGM awareness, dishonour-based abuse, patient voice, hidden disability and public-interest leadership. Here you can explore my advocacy, media work, books and the causes I continue to support."
Aneeta Prem MBE is a UK author, human rights campaigner, safeguarding expert, magistrate and charity leader.
Born and raised within the sound of London’s Bow Bells, she comes from a family rooted in Himachal Pradesh, known as “the Land of the Gods”. Her father, Chandra Shekhar Prem, was an author, poet and educator, and served as Principal of Republic College in India, an all-girls’ college. Her mother remains a constant source of strength and support.
Aneeta founded Freedom Charity in 2009 with Lord Toby Harris to challenge forced marriage, female genital mutilation, dishonour-based abuse and related forms of coercion and control.
The charity’s work focuses on prevention, education, safeguarding awareness, public campaigns and practical routes to help for children, young people and adults at risk.
Through Freedom Charity, Aneeta has worked with schools, professionals, policymakers and communities to improve understanding of abuse, protection and early intervention. Freedom Charity has donated more than 100,000 copies of Aneeta’s safeguarding books, But It’s Not Fair and Cut Flowers, to schools, young people, professionals and community settings.
This work places prevention education at the centre of child protection.
She is the author of But It’s Not Fair and Cut Flowers, two safeguarding novels written to help children, schools, families and professionals discuss forced marriage, FGM, consent, pressure, secrecy and the right to seek help safely.
Her writing forms part of her wider commitment to prevention education, public understanding and practical safeguarding.
In 2020, Aneeta became CEO of Trigeminal Neuralgia Association UK, following her own diagnosis of bilateral trigeminal neuralgia and microvascular decompression surgery.
Her work with TNA UK focuses on patient voice, hidden disability, facial pain, practical support and improving public understanding of one of the most severe neurological pain conditions.
Aneeta received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Winchester in 2015. She has also been recognised by the Evening Standard as one of London’s most influential people and was awarded an MBE in the 2023 New Year Honours for charitable service.
Aneeta is a former member of the Metropolitan Police Authority, where her work included standards, estate and property matters, forced marriage and FGM.
She is also a magistrate, chairing adult, family and youth courts.
Earlier in life, she became a qualified Black Belt karate instructor, an experience that helped deepen her understanding of confidence, protection and the pressures facing girls and young women.
Away from public life, Aneeta values family, writing, quiet time and the companionship of her Shar-Pei, India.
Watch Aneeta on London Live in April 2024 talking about her childhood and life growing up in the East End of London. Learn about how she got interested in women’s issues and human rights issues.
I was born and raised in Bethnal Green, within the sound of London’s Bow Bells. My public life has been shaped by a simple conviction: people should not be abandoned because abuse is hidden, pain is invisible, or those in authority fail to listen.
In 2009, I founded Freedom Charity to help prevent forced marriage, FGM, dishonour-based abuse and related forms of coercion and control. Through education, public campaigning, safeguarding awareness and practical routes to help, Freedom Charity works to protect children, young people and adults at risk.
My campaigning helped move forced marriage from a hidden family issue into a matter of criminal law, safeguarding and public protection. I have also worked to strengthen awareness of child marriage, virginity testing, FGM and the wider systems of coercion that can trap people in fear.
In 2017, I faced my own battle with trigeminal neuralgia, one of the most severe neurological pain conditions. Since becoming CEO of TNA UK in December 2020, I have worked to strengthen patient voice, helpline support, expert webinars, digital access and practical information for people living with trigeminal neuralgia and facial pain.
I am also the author of two PSHE-accredited safeguarding novels, But It’s Not Fair and Cut Flowers. These books help children, schools, families and professionals talk safely about abuse, pressure, secrecy, consent and the right to seek help. Through Freedom Charity, more than 100,000 copies have been donated to children, schools, professionals and community settings.
My work is rooted in one belief: no child should be trapped by fear, no person should be silenced by pain, and no one should be left unheard when the right help could change, or save, their life.
Join me in building a world where no child is trapped by fear, no person is silenced by pain, and no one is left unheard when the right help could change their life.
Whether you’re seeking expert commentary, educational resources or a partner in advocacy, let’s work together.
Contact me aneeta.com/contact
“We have the power—and the duty—to end abuse and isolation. Together, we can save lives.”
