By Nicole Economos
David Beckham has become renowned for fronting fashion campaigns and magazines with his chiselled physique and extensive tattoo collection over the years.
But the footballing great has now used his famously admired torso, and tattoo art for good.
David Beckham arrives at the 6th Biennial UNICEF Ball.Credit: Amanda Edwards
Beckham has lent his body to the #ENDVIOLENCE UNICEF campaign, illustrating the brutal reality that physical and psychological abuse can mark children forever.
Coming to life on the Unicef Goodwill ambassador's body, striking animations depict the all too common forms of violence, bullying and grooming that young people endure in their homes, online, in schools and communities. At the end of the clip, Beckham says to the camera. "Violence against children marks them forever, It's wrong. End it."
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham in Swaziland.Credit: UNICEF
Beckham's many tattoos include one for each of his four children and represent "happy memories", though he noted that many children carry scars for life from abuse.
After the video was released, Beckham noted his continual 10-year-commitment to making to making the world a safer place for children via his 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund.
"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," he said.
"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."
The husband of Victoria Beckham also used the opportunity to discuss his heartbreaking experience in Cambodia, where he listened to children open up about the 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," he said.
Utilising U-report, a messaging tool that allows young people around the world to report issues affecting their lives, Beckham and UNICEF invited youth to answer questions on violence against children.
With 190,000 respondents from 22 countries, two-thirds said that they have "personally experienced physical or verbal abuse or know someone else who has".
More than 80,000 of the respondents also provided feedback in combating violence in their own communities, with UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake attributing "powerful voices" like Beckham in fuelling the voices of young children and momentum towards ending the violence.
UNICEF released seven strategies moving towards the end to violence. 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.
Beckham who posted the video on his own Instagram is urging others to share the #ENDVIOLENCE message on their own social media.