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UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham highlights urgent need to end violence against children
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham highlights urgent need to end violence against children
7/12/16
A powerful new film
featuring UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham was released today to
illustrate the brutal reality that physical and psychological abuse can mark
children forever.
During the new 60-second UNICEF
film, scenes of violence against children appear as animated tattoos on David
Beckham’s body. While Beckham’s own tattoos were marks chosen to represent
happy or important memories, millions of children bear marks they have not
chosen: the long-lasting scars of violence and abuse.
The animations in the film
depict all too common forms of violence that boys and girls endure in spaces
where they should be safe – their homes, schools, online and in their
communities.
Beckham said: “When I launched
my 7 Fund with UNICEF, I made a commitment to do everything I can to make the
world a safer place for children and to speak out on issues that are having a
devastating impact on children’s lives. One of those issues is violence. Every
five minutes, somewhere in the world, a child dies from violence. Millions more
are in danger of physical, emotional and sexual abuse that could destroy their
childhoods forever.
Last year I visited Cambodia
with UNICEF where I met and listened to children tell me about terrible
violence they have experienced. I was shocked by what I heard and I saw how
violence can leave deep and lasting scars. No child should have to endure this.
Yet in all corners of the world, in their homes, schools and on their streets,
children are suffering similar violence. I hope this new project will draw
attention to this urgent issue and inspire action. Violence against children is
wrong and together we need to end it.”
Using U-report, a messaging
tool that allows young people to report on issues affecting their lives, David
Beckham invited youth to answer questions on violence against children.
More than 190,000 “U-Reporters”
from 22 countries responded. Two-thirds of them said that they have personally
experienced physical or verbal abuse or know somebody else who has. When asked
who they think commits violence most often, one-third said police or law
enforcement, 29 per cent said their peers, 28 per cent said a parent or
caregiver and 9 per cent said teachers.
Approximately 80,000
U-Reporters provided suggestions on what can be done to address violence in
their communities. A 24-year old U-Reporter from the Philippines said, “I will
let my voice be heard and warn all people around me on what is happening, and
ask for someone’s help to end it if I cannot do it alone.”
The tragic consequences of
violence affect all aspects of a child’s life and can be passed down from one
generation to the next. Violence against children carries serious costs to all
societies in every region of the world.
“Violence and abuse take a
terrible toll on children’s lives and futures -- harming their bodies,
undermining their emotional wellbeing, even interfering with the healthy
development of their brains,” said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake.
“When we protect children from violence, we prevent individual tragedies
-- and promote stronger, more stable societies. Thanks to powerful
advocates like David Beckham, and fueled by the voices of children and young
people themselves, we are building momentum for ending violence against
children everywhere.”
Violence is not inevitable.
UNICEF points to seven proven strategies that can help end violence against
children. These include strengthening attitudes that support non-violence;
enforcing laws; creating safe environments for children; supporting parents and
caregivers; increasing family incomes to reduce poverty; strengthening social
services and equipping children with life-skills.
David Beckham and UNICEF are
urging people to share the new film on social media platforms./.
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All comments [ 11 ]
Love Beckham, love for human rights. Vietnam always comes to these standards.
Every five minutes, a child dies as a result of violence. An estimated 120 million girls and 73 million boys have been victims of sexual violence, and almost one billion children are subjected to physical punishment on a regular basis.
Knowledge about the extent and harms of violence against children is growing, together with evidence about effective strategies for prevention.
Now we need to build on that knowledge to work collectively to create the safe, stable, and nurturing environments that protect children and adolescents from violent harm.
Overcoming cultural taboos and other attitudes that allow violence against children to take place is one of the greatest challenges in the fight to end this abuse.
The causes of violence toward children are complex, and tackling the underlying issues of poverty, gender bias and other factors is difficult.
Violence against children is not limited to developing nations. It is a pervasive problem, and one that can have a range of serious consequences, from physical and psychological harm to death, in extreme cases.
Many cases of violence against children go unreported, leaving children in vulnerable situations in which their health, safety and even lives are at risk. Many children are too young to report harm, and in some communities, there is intense pressure to keep domestic or sexual abuse a secret because of cultural views or fear of reprisal.
We aim to empower children and families so they will be able to break free of the vicious cycle of violence that affects millions.
We also work with children and youth who have been through traumatic experiences, helping them heal through honest discussions and even through art.
Ending violence against children is one of the development targets world leaders are due to adopt at a summit later this month and the new partnership will try to meet this goal.
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