Rebecca joins Michael Sheen in calling on the UK Government to end violence against children

Rebecca with Michael Sheen

Actor and UNICEF UK Ambassador Michael Sheen is calling on the UK Government to lead the fight against violence against children following a trip to Guatemala with UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s organisation. Rebecca Harris joined the actor at a reception in Westminster to lend her support to the cause.

 

Michael has just returned from Guatemala, a country with the second highest rate of child murder worldwide and extremely high levels of sexual violence against children. Some 40 children become orphans each day because of violence – and a new case of sexual violence against a child is reported every two hours. 

 

Michael spent time meeting with children who have been victims of violence, and also seeing what solutions are being put in place to ensure they get justice and the psychological support they need to re-build their lives.

 

UNICEF UK has warned that children are facing an epidemic of violence worldwide – with millions unsafe in their schools, homes and communities. Michael is supporting Unicef UK’s call for a new global target to end violence against children to be included in the Sustainable Development Goals, which will be agreed by world leaders in September this year.

 

Speaking at the event Rebecca stated:

 

“Violence against children is one of the most despicable crimes imaginable. I one hundred per cent support UNICEF’s call to end violence towards children and I am very proud to lend whatever support I can to this cause.”

 

The UK must work with other countries to make ending violence against children a global priority. The next government will have a critical role to play in protecting children in danger around the world. UNICEF UK is calling on all UK political parties to take a stand and commit to keeping children safe.

 

 

On Tuesday (10th March), Michael spoke at the Palace of Westminster alongside Baroness Doreen Lawrence, addressing MPs and Peers. The reception raised awareness of UNICEF UK’s Children in Danger campaign and the wider issue of violence against children. Michael also outlined what can be done to tackle violence and called on all political parties to ensure the next UK Government prioritises ending violence against children.