Freedom From Abuse: Courses and Seminars

Freedom from Abuse CIC (FFA) is focused on reducing the incidence of abuse and aiding recovery from abuse throughout the United Kingdom since 2004.

Freedom From Abuse Provide Training and Guidance On:

Internet, Sexual Exploitation, and Grooming

Freedom from Abuse provide age-appropriate education from Year 2 through to Year 11, helping students recognise the risks of online exploitation and grooming. Staff are also trained to identify individuals who may be at risk—as well as those who may pose a risk to others.

Pitfalls

From Year 8 upwards, Freedom from Abuse educates young people on the ever-evolving risks they face in today's world. Topics covered include sexting, live streaming, online gaming, pornography, substance abuse, joint enterprise, gangs, respect, and healthy relationships.

Beauty or the Beast

Also aimed at students from Year 8 upwards, this session helps young people understand the difference between toxic and healthy relationships and friendships. It provides practical guidance on how to recognise, navigate, and manage them effectively.

Caught for Court

Targeted at students from Year 5 to Year 10, this session offers a stark insight into life inside a young offender's institution or prison. It highlights the consequences of carrying knives, using or dealing drugs, and other criminal activity, including the serious implications of the Joint Enterprise law.

Be the Child

An accredited course designed for professionals working with or caring for children. It addresses:

• The impact of abuse and trauma

• Child-on-child abuse

• How to avoid retraumatising a child

• Strategies for managing children who display difficult or regressive behaviours

Grooming and the Abuser

Grooming is often the first step toward abuse. Abusers frequently infiltrate educational, sports, and music environments to identify potential victims. This session equips staff with the skills to recognise potential abusers based on behavioural patterns and subtle warning signs.

Low Level Concerns

Many staff members fail to report behaviour that seems minor but may actually signal early stages of grooming. This session raises awareness of what constitutes a low-level concern, clarifies the importance of early intervention, and explains who to report to—and when.

Giving Your Child Wings

Aimed at expectant parents and those currently raising children, this session supports individuals through the daily challenges of parenting. It focuses on empowering parents to help their children thrive and reach their full potential.

Understanding the behaviours and attitudes of abusers is the key to preventing abuse. Freedom from Abuse has been educating organisations for over 20 years, using a triangulated approach with staff, parents and students to break barriers blocking discussion while opening minds.

As a teacher, Freedom from Abuse founder Marilyn Hawes completed numerous Child Protection courses, yet none addressed how to recognise the signs of grooming—something she now believes is a critical gap in safeguarding training. Her deep concern stems from personal tragedy: all three of her sons were victims of grooming and abuse by the head teacher at their school—who was not only Marilyn’s boss for a decade but also her closest friend for 17 years. Marilyn speaks with the authority of lived experience.

Determined to break the culture of silence, Marilyn now speaks regularly to the media, public, organisations, schools, conferences, parents, and children across the UK. Her goal is to educate and empower others with clear, accurate, and essential information that helps prevent child sexual abuse and encourages people to trust their instincts.

Known for her courage and pragmatic views, Marilyn is unafraid to speak out. Her empathetic and approachable style makes her message accessible, encouraging open dialogue and raising awareness to help create a safer future for children and families.

Marilyn has appeared on numerous television and media platforms, including The Chrissy B Show, Judges in the Dock with Mark Easton (BBC), Songs of Praise, as well as regular contributions to BBC News, Radio 5 Live, SKY News, national press, and other outlets. In recognition of her impact, she was named “Most Inspirational Woman of the Year” in 2017.

Marilyn is passionate about the belief that childhood abuse does not have to define a victim’s future. With the right therapy and support, survivors can do more than survive—they can thrive.

Freedom from Abuse have a variety of online resources including safeguarding training for schools, webinars and consultation.

What should schools do in order to access Freedom from Abuse’s services?

Please call directly (07484 541727) or email (marilyn.hawes@freedom-abuse.org)

Freedom from Abuse website:

freedom-abuse.org.

Read an interview with Marilyn Hawes HERE