UK launches ‘Families Matter’ campaign against terror

The UK government has backed a new national campaign aimed at preventing young people from travelling from Britain to war zones like Syria and Iraq by making them aware of the fear and distress felt by those they leave behind.

The ‘Families Matter’ campaign has been launched by Families Against Stress and Trauma (FAST), a community organisation which provides support to vulnerable families and individuals across the country.

It is designed to help young people considering travelling to the region to understand the fear and distress felt by those they leave behind.

FAST also hopes the campaign will encourage concerned families to reach out and seek help.

‘This campaign addresses one of the most significant issues facing communities up and down Britain ? the extremely damaging effect of young people choosing to travel to Syria and now Iraq,’ said UK home secretary Theresa May here on Monday.

‘While many may be motivated by a desire to help the country, the result and impact on these people, their families and often on the communities they are trying to support is very destructive indeed,’ he added.

The campaign centres on a short film produced by FAST, which features testimonies from three individuals who talk candidly about the pain and anguish they felt when a family member left the UK bound for Syria.

Dissuading young people from travelling to the conflict is a government priority.

The Home Office will also be raising awareness of FAST’s initiative among community support organisations and women?s networks across the UK.

Over 400 UK-linked individuals have now travelled to Syria since the uprising began.