David Beckham uses tattoo to campaign on the need to stop violence against children.

David Beckham's love of tattoos has inspired a new Unicef campaign highlighting the need to end violence against children.

The clip hopes to illustrate the "brutal reality that physical and psychological abuse can mark children forever."

The 60-second film features animated tattoos depicting scenes of violence against children appearing on David Beckham's body.

The animations show forms of violence endured by children in places they should be safe, such as their homes, schools and online.

David Beckham is known for his love of tattoos, many of which mark happy and important memories and people in his life, including his wife, Victoria, and their four children's names.

The campaign hopes to show "that millions of children bear marks they have not chosen: the long-lasting scars of violence and abuse".

David Beckham has been a Unicef goodwill ambassador since 2005 and launched the '7' campaign to mark his 10th year working for them.

He 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."

Unicef also say that children who are affected by violence can pass it down to the next generation.

One of the animated tattoos shows a child being bullied by a group. Credit: Unicef

As part of the campaign Beckham invited young people to use a messaging tool called U-report to answer questions on violence against children.

More than 190,000 'U-reporters' from 22 countries replied, with two-thirds saying they have personally experienced physical or verbal abuse.

David Beckham also visited Cambodia, where he met children who had suffered violence and abuse.

After being moved by the stories he heard, he attended the United Nations and called on world leaders to put children, particularly the most disadvantaged, at the center of the new Sustainable Development Goals. More pictures after the cut.

'Violence Marks Forever' appears tattooed on David Beckham's neck Credit: Unicef

Source: ITV news