Plaid Cymru Euro-MP Jill Evans is backing the latest NSPCC campaign against child cruelty and calling for action at EU level to protect children's rights.

Ms Evans will be wearing the distinctive NSPCC Full Stop badge this week in the European Parliament to raise awareness of the week-long campaign which aims to encourage people to talk to someone if they suspect a child is being abused. A recent poll for the NSPCC showed that a quarter of a million adults in the UK have suspected that child abuse is happening but have done nothing about it.

The week-long 'Talk 'till it stops campaign' aims to break down the barriers that stop people talking about child abuse and encourage people to discuss their concerns.

The Plaid Cymru Vice President - who represents the whole of Wales in the European Parliament - said:

"I pay tribute to the NSPCC for this campaign to encourage people to speak out if they suspect a child is being abused or mistreated.

Raising awareness of the issue is very important and that's why I'll be wearing the green NSPCC Full Stop badge in the European Parliament in Brussels this week as well as talking to others about this important issue."

Speaking about what the European Union could do to help, Ms Evans commented:

"We have been calling for several years for the European Union to have a responsibility for child welfare as they do for animal welfare. Children's rights were included in the draft constitution but we cannot wait for that issue to be resolved before we act.

Putting children at the heart of EU policies would make a real difference to the lives of people in Europe. The NSPCC's campaign has highlighted just how crucial a change that could be."

Diwedd/Ends.