Families Against Stress and Trauma
This article is part of the Counter-Terrorism Portal project of Spinwatch. |
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Families Against Stress and Trauma (FAST) describes itself as an 'independent' 'UK based organisation providing support to vulnerable families and individuals', designed to discourage young people from travelling to Syria, Iraq or being radicalised. [1] The organisation was set up in 2007 and only registered at Companies House in May 2009.
Product of the Home Office
In July 2014, former home secretary Theresa May publicly endorsed the 'Families Matter' campaign led by FAST. [2]
An official document uncovered by Powerbase in 2016 (Prevent Strategy - Local Delivery Best Practice Catalogue) and produced by the Office of Security and Counter Terrorism in the UK Home Office revealed that FAST had received undisclosed funding from the Research Information and Communication Unit (RCIU), under the Prevent programme.
The document label FAST part of the so called 'national counter narrative', which appear to acknowledge the organisation was part of a British government covert propaganda strategy and directed by the Home Office’s strategic communications agency.
Directors and staff
FAST currently has four directors:
Jaffer was registered at Companies House as an 'Ambassador for Peace' and director of the organisation Universal Peace Foundation UK from June 2008 to June 2013. [3]
In FAST's 2014 register of interest deceleration, she was listed as a 'vocational employee' at the Office of Security and Counter-Terrorism (OSCT), raising questions about the organisation's independence.
Notes
- ↑ FAST Home page, FAST website, accessed 6 January 2017.
- ↑ Home Secretary supports launch of ‘Families Matter’ campaign, GOV.uk, 21 July 2014, accessed 5 January 2017.
- ↑ Saleha-Begum Jaffer, 'Companies House', accessed 16 January 2017.
