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But It’s Not Fair EDITION 2 1 Help andBut information It’s Not Fair pages But It’s Not Fair FREEDOM CHARITY DONATION PAGE Have you been moved by the plight of some of the characters in this book? What happens to them is not just a story but to some children, a very real issue. Can you spare some money to help them, no matter how little? Your donations will help Freedom Charity run our crucial 24 hour help line and 24 hour text line which is manned by trained professionals. It is a much needed life line to friends and victims who seek help and advice on issues of dishonour abuse. We need your help to reach a wider audience and help more children in need. You can help us donate more copies of this book to more pupils in the UK. £2.50 will pay for a copy of this book to be donated. Your donation will help us to continue our vital work and will help protect the lives of children and young people in the UK. If you would like to find out more information about what we do, please visit our website at www.freedomcharity.org.uk ‘Donate by BT My Donate’ - ‘Freedom charity 1139657’ Many thanks for your support. 190 But It’s Not Fair But It’s Not Fair 2 But It’s Not Fair EDITION 2 3 But It’s Not Fair But It’s Not Fair 4 But It’s Not Fair This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental. PREM PUBLISHING www.freedomcharity.org.uk First published in Great Britain by Prem Publishing Copyright © Aneeta Prem 2011 Aneeta Prem asserts her moral right to be identified as the author of this work A catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library Cover Design by Trident Marketing Anglia Ltd Illustrations by Kati Teague with Thanks - www.sproggs.com Set in Avenir First Published in Great Britain 2011 ISBN Number 978-0-9569751-0-2 Printed and bound in Great Britain by CPI Group (UK) Ltd, Croydon, CR0 4YY ISBN Number 978-0-9569751-3-3 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers. 5 But It’s Not Fair But It’s Not Fair DEDICATION I dedicate this book to the most inspirational being I have ever known, Author, College Principal, Dad, Chandra Shekhar Prem I wish you could have been here to share this. I miss you every day and I know your love is still with me. My Darling Mum, Savita Prem Thank you for being there, not only the Best Mum in the World, but also for supporting all my ideals and always being there for me. Vineeta Prem Thornhill, best friend Beautiful inside and out. A truly enlightened soul! 6 But It’s Not Fair I have talked about writing this book for a number of years, and in my head, it was finished a long time ago. Finally it’s here! We have come a long way! So many people to thank. For the wonderful illustrations, Kati Teague, who took a leap of faith to bring the characters to life by drawing beautiful pictures and generously donating her artwork. And the other wonderful supporters: Lord Toby Harris Chair of Freedom Charity for his unfaltering support. Sue someone you can count on. Lynne thank you for all the line editing and proof reading. Di and Kim always ‘fighting’ for Freedom. Anne-Marie Hutchinson OBE for saving so many victims and giving them back hope and their lives. Richard, Frankie and Mits, for their friendship and being ‘family.’ Rishi ‘Darling Nephew ‘for being you! William-Tski for your help and believing in the dream. Thank you, Tony, for your support and believing and for sharing the passion. Vineeta my darling big sister for being as patient with me writing this book as she was when we were kids – you have been a great support. Thanks for reading the characters and sharing the voice. Thank you Mum for listening to every word I’ve written and for laughing and crying in the right places and for always being there for me and sharing the journey with me. And thank you to everyone else who has helped me. 7 But It’s Not Fair But It’s Not Fair “When I think of modern-day heroes, Aneeta Prem is always top of my list for her tireless campaigning against forced marriage. In ‘But It’s Not Fair’, she shows how the young can help a friend who is being put through this trauma. It could be the most important book a teenager ever reads; if you want to be a good friend, start it now.” Rosamund Urwin, Columnist, Interviewer and Feature Writer for the London Evening Standard “A book that deserves to be read by everyone who may be touched by forced marriage or know someone who may be at risk. It’s only through education that we will save lives.” Nazir Afzal OBE LLD (Hons), Chief Crown Prosecutor “This book provides a vital understanding of FM and dishonour based violence and is a crucial tool to protect people and save lives” Commander Mak Chishty, MPS Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Lead on Forced Marriage “‘But it’s not Fair’ is a useful and vital resource for schools and young people in raising awareness of forced marriage and other forms of dishonour abuse. No young person’s life should be marred by such abuse. This publication makes an important contribution to the ongoing campaign to eradicate all forms of violence and ill-treatment of young people.” Chris Keates (Ms), General Secretary NASUWT The Teachers’ Union 8 But It’s Not Fair “This is a fantastic book and what this really does is makes this an approachable subject for young people and really highlights that things may be going on in our communities that we don’t know about, and the more we know about it the better and that’s the role this book should play. Re the assembly, you kept the pupils on the edge of their seats.” Tom Brake MP “The NAHT urges all schools to include these issues in their PSHE provision and to ensure that the school’s workforce is equipped to recognise the signs that there could be potential victims in the school. We are particularly anxious to dispel the view that this is a matter that only affects schools serving diverse communities. NAHT welcomes the lead provided by Freedom and the confidence it gives to schools to recognise that this is essentially a safeguarding matter and that actively opposing these practices should be seen in this light and not an attack on cultural practices.’’ Russell Hobby, General Secretary of the NAHT, and Louis Coiffait, CEO of NAHT Edge, (National Association of Head Teachers) “The Freedom Charity resource is a very clear and focused approach to two sensitive yet vital subjects and approaches the issues in a balanced, relevant and realistic way. We believe that this resource can form an important part of a planned PSHE programme. The lesson plans can be complemented by the ‘But It’s Not Fair’ book, a fictional account of different perspectives on forced marriages which is available on the Home Office website.” Nick Boddington, The PSHE Association’s Subject Lead 9 But It’s Not Fair But It’s Not Fair “I think it is very important that schools and young people read this book to understand exactly what is going on.“ Keith Vaz MP “‘But It’s Not Fair’ is an important and brave book, shining light into the dark corner that is forced marriage, and hopefully empowering the friends of young women who are at risk to take action on their behalf. As a former Member of Parliament, representing in Peterborough, 42 different nationalities of people speaking 91 different languages, I saw at firsthand how mistaken adherence to ‘family’, ‘culture’ and ‘honour’ all too often combined to ruin the futures of bright young women who only wanted a chance to use their education and make their own choices in life. I worked with the local Women’s Centre and Women’s Refuge to help young women who found themselves in this position and sometimes we succeeded – but all too often, we did not, and yet another girl was sacrificed to the wishes of her male family members. Now ‘But It’s Not Fair’ is there to alert teachers and friends to the warning signs and there is a greater chance that interventions can be made before it is too late. The book should be essential reading for all young people – and the professionals in every walk of life who have a responsibility and duty help them achieve their ambitions and a future of their own choosing.” Helen Clark, Associate Director, Royal Public Affairs; MP for Peterborough 1997 – 2005 10 But It’s Not Fair “I would thoroughly recommend ‘But It’s Not Fair’ to anyone who wants an entertaining but thought-provoking read about forced marriage and why we should all be focusing on the issue. Aneeta led two excellent assemblies at Limehurst Academy in my constituency. The students were clearly engaged and taking on board what she had to say about the work Freedom Charity is doing and their app.” Nicky Morgan MP “This book was a non-judgmental, fictional account of different perspectives on forced marriages, giving the background to the views of the traditional family and the families arriving to settle in this country.