Who is Cut Flowers for?

The novel is written for young people and is also used by teachers, safeguarding professionals and families. Story creates safe distance from a difficult subject, while the accompanying lesson material supports structured classroom discussion.

Are lesson plans available?

Yes. Freedom Charity’s FGM resources for Key Stages 3 and 4 received the PSHE Association Quality Mark. Schools can request the materials directly from Freedom Charity.

How can a school order Cut Flowers or arrange a visit?

Schools can contact Freedom Charity about class sets, accompanying teaching resources and a school visit. The school page explains how to prepare staff and pupils for a safe, age-appropriate session.

Where can I buy Cut Flowers?

Cut Flowers is sold through Freedom Charity. Individual readers can buy the paperback, and schools, libraries and organisations can contact the charity about larger orders, visits and teaching resources.

What should I do if I am worried about a child?

If someone is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services; in the UK, call 999. Otherwise follow the safeguarding procedure and child-protection law where the child is. Do not confront family members or investigate the concern yourself.

A novel of friendship, family secrets and courage

Cut Flowers

A family secret has survived for generations. Now another girl may be in danger.

What would you do if an ordinary summer holiday placed your best friend in danger?

Buy the book Read a preview →

26chapters of friendship, family secrets, music and courage

Forewordby Miriam Margolyes OBE

Genuine cover of Cut Flowers by Aneeta Prem MBE — Paperback · £6.99 Available through Freedom Charity

Foreword and support fromMiriam Margolyes OBENAHTPSHE AssociationNazir Afzal OBEDr Comfort Momoh MBE

Miriam Margolyes OBE with Aneeta Prem MBE at the Cut Flowers launch — Miriam Margolyes OBE and Aneeta Prem MBE at the *Cut Flowers* launch

Foreword by Miriam Margolyes OBE

“It’s a good story, with a serious point.”

Miriam Margolyes introduces the purpose of Cut Flowers with characteristic clarity. Her foreword explains why young people need to understand the threat of FGM/C and know how to seek help for themselves, a sister or a friend.

Read about the foreword →

Cut Flowers on film

The book launch and the classroom conversation.

Watch the launch of Aneeta Prem’s novel and Freedom Charity’s film for schools.

Cut Flowers FGM book launch by Aneeta Prem · Freedom Charity

The launch

See Cut Flowers introduced as a novel about friendship, courage and the dangers of FGM.

Watch the launch on YouTube →

Cut Flowers book – Help your students · Freedom Charity

For schools

A story-led way to approach FGM/C with care, clarity and a clear safeguarding route.

Explore teaching resources →

The story

One summer. Two friends. A truth that cannot stay hidden.

East London. The final afternoon of term. Katie and Sophia are thinking about long days, freedom and the summer ahead when their teacher, Miss Adams, sets the class a holiday presentation.

Katie travels to Africa to meet Granny JoJo, Sweetpea and a family shaped by the silence surrounding Aunt Daisy. Sophia remains in England, where a seaside friendship with Charlie, a singing competition and an unexpected encounter with royal circles carry her towards a very different kind of stage.

The two narrative strands move through comedy, adventure, music and growing unease before friendship brings them together again. The safeguarding purpose is serious, but the novel earns its force through characters readers can care about and a story they want to finish.

PaperbackFirst published 2016ISBN 978-0-9569751-5-7

Freedom Charity on the book

“Informative and engaging… all young people should read it.”

Cut Flowers, Aneeta Prem’s second novel, deals with female genital mutilation: not only the dangers, but what young people can do to help prevent it.

Katie’s first family trip to Africa reveals an old secret surrounding Aunt Daisy—and a threat to Katie and her cousin Sweetpea. Back in England, Sophia’s seaside singing adventure takes her into royal circles. When Katie returns, the friends need courage and creativity to shine a light on something affecting millions of girls worldwide.

“We applaud Aneeta’s creativity in presenting the issues to young people in the form of a novel and the potential this provides for schools to tackle the issue in a sensitive yet rigorous manner.”

Russell Hobby and Louis Coiffait · NAHT

Buy the book Schedule a school visit →

Books are sold by Freedom Charity: Aneeta does not profit from book sales. The income supports Freedom Charity’s work.

What the story can do

Help a reader recognise danger and tell a trusted adult.

A book cannot replace safeguarding professionals. However, the right story can help a child recognise danger and find the words to tell someone who can act.

01
Read
Fiction creates enough distance to approach a subject that may feel frightening or impossible to name.
02
Recognise
Katie and Sophia’s story helps readers identify secrecy, pressure, travel concerns and the need for adult support.
03
Tell
The novel gives a young person a safe next step: speak privately to a trusted adult. Proof is not required.
04
Protect
A teacher, safeguarding lead, police officer or social worker can assess the concern and take protective action.

Inside the book

Friendship turns voices into song.

Original illustrations trace Katie and Sophia’s journey from an ordinary school holiday to a campaign reaching far beyond their classroom. See the curated gallery →

Katie playing the keyboard while Sophia sings in an original Cut Flowers illustration — Music, friendship and the confidence to be heard.

Sophia singing on stage in an original Cut Flowers illustration — A voice grows stronger when it is heard.

The young campaigners at a formal public event in an original Cut Flowers illustration — Young people turn knowledge into action.

Teach with confidence

A serious subject needs careful teaching.

Freedom Charity combines specialist training with story-led teaching. Its accompanying FGM lesson resources received the PSHE Association Quality Mark for Key Stages 3 and 4. They help teachers establish safety, introduce the law, challenge myths and signpost support.

Teaching resources Request lesson materials →Professional training →

Before reading

Prepare your safeguarding route, set clear ground rules and give pupils the right to pass.

During discussion

Use fictional distance. Never ask pupils to disclose personal experience to the class.

After the lesson

Repeat private support routes and record or report concerns under school procedures.

Choose how you will use the book

For readers, schools, libraries and safeguarding teams.

Find teaching material, discussion questions, ordering information, media facts and international publishing enquiries.

Choose your section

Schools and collegesTeaching and safeguarding →Libraries and book clubsDiscussion guide →Health and safeguarding teamsProfessional route →Media and researchersVerified information →International accessTranslate this website →

For young people

You do not need proof to tell someone you are worried.

If a friend talks about being cut, a special ceremony, a long trip or something that makes you feel concerned, listen. Do not promise to keep it secret. Tell a teacher, safeguarding lead or another trusted adult.

You could say:“Something I heard has worried me. I need your help.”

Know what matters

It is never her fault. Responsibility lies with the people who plan or carry out the abuse.

Do not investigate. Sharing a concern with a safe adult is enough.

Speak privately. Choose a teacher or adult who can follow safeguarding procedures.

Use local emergency services. In the UK, call 999 if someone may be harmed now.

What would you do?

Know the next safe move.

Three short situations inspired by the safeguarding choices in Cut Flowers. No scores, no personal questions—just knowledge that could help a friend.

Situation 1 / 3

A friend says there will be a “special ceremony” during a long trip abroad. She looks frightened. What is the safest first step?

Clear answers

What is FGM?

FGM is not a religious requirement. It has no medical benefit and can cause immediate and lifelong physical and psychological harm.

Read the WHO evidence →

230m+

girls and women alive today have undergone FGM, according to the World Health Organization.

4m+

girls are estimated to be at risk of FGM each year, according to the World Health Organization.

Under 15

is when FGM is most often carried out, although it can happen at other ages.

Illegal

FGM is a criminal offence across the UK. The site’s legal guide explains the position in England and Wales.

The genuine Freedom Charity Red Triangle Badge against FGM/C worn on denim — The genuine Freedom Charity Red Triangle Badge

Why wear it?

Make your stand visible.

The Red Triangle Badge is Freedom Charity’s symbol against FGM/C. Wearing it shows solidarity with girls at risk and survivors, signals zero tolerance and starts conversations that can help prevent harm.

Buy the genuine badge Why the badge matters →Play Freedom’s song →

Books are sold by Freedom Charity: Aneeta does not profit from book sales. The income supports Freedom Charity’s work.

Freedom Charity in action

More than 100,000 books donated to help young people recognise abuse.

100,000+copies of Aneeta Prem’s safeguarding books donated

UK-wideschool visits, lessons, workshops and assemblies

PSHEQuality Mark lesson resources supporting sensitive classroom teaching

Freedom Charity uses story, education and professional safeguarding expertise to reach children before harm happens. Donations help place books and resources where a young person can find them, train the adults around them and keep prevention visible.

Donate Now

Readers and experts

“This excellent book tells us what it is, how it impacts and how it can be stopped. Educating us all is the key.”

Nazir Afzal OBEFormer Chief Crown Prosecutor

01 / 06

Read all reviews and endorsements →

About the author

Aneeta Prem MBE

Aneeta Prem is a British human-rights campaigner, author and the founder of Freedom Charity. She writes stories that help schools begin difficult safeguarding conversations without losing sight of the young people at their centre.

Her first novel, But It’s Not Fair, addresses forced marriage. Cut Flowers continues that educational mission by confronting FGM through friendship, courage and action.

Meet Aneeta Contact Aneeta Contact Freedom Charity

Also by Aneeta Prem MBE

But It’s Not Fair

Begin with But It’s Not Fair, then continue with Cut Flowers. Each novel stands alone; together they form a wider story about friendship, coercion and the refusal to accept silence.

Explore the first novel Ask about both books →

Questions answered

For schools and families

Female genital mutilation, or FGM, means procedures that deliberately alter or injure female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It has no health benefits. In the UK it is a criminal offence, child abuse and a form of violence against women and girls.

Safeguarding comes first

If you are worried, speak to someone safely.

Do not confront anyone you think may be involved. If you are a professional, follow your safeguarding procedure. If you are a young person, tell a trusted adult.

Immediate dangerFind the correct local route Worldwide child helplinesChoose your country or territory International health informationWorld Health Organization United KingdomPolice, NHS and protection routes

For readers, schools and libraries

Put Cut Flowers where a young person can find it.

Buy the book Ask about school orders →