Childline says it is holding hundreds of counselling sessions about racial or faith based bullying with children as young as nine, the NSPCC has said.

There have been more than 2,500 counselling sessions in the last three years about racial and faith-based bullying. Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Black, and Sikh children were among those who contacted Childline about the issue. 

Counsellors heard from young people who said the constant abuse and negative stereotyping was so cruel they had self-harmed, and many said they wished they could change who they are.

One boy, aged 13, said: “This boy is my class keeps teasing me because I'm Jewish. He tells me I'm not allowed to go near him, and has threatened to beat me up a number of times. He's one of the popular kids at school so now other people tease me about my religion too. It’s so frustrating; I am the same as everyone else.”

Childline has seen a spike in sessions about faith and race-based bullying, with the number almost doubling following the Westminster atrocity compared to the previous month. In the two weeks following the Manchester Arena attack in May, Childline held nearly 300 counselling sessions with children concerned about terrorism.

Muslim children said that they endured constant name-calling, accused of being associated with so-called Islamic State, and threatened with violence. Young girls were frequently victimised when they wore a hijab or headscarf.

Spikes in counselling sessions sometimes followed terror attacks, for example: Following the Westminster bridge attack on 22 March 2017 Childline received 128 contacts about the issue in April, almost double compared to 71 contacts in March.

Some young people said the bullying both inside and out of school made them feel isolated and withdrawn from society, while others skipped school to escape the bullying.

After the Paris terror attack on 13 November 2015, Childline held 119 counselling sessions about race and faith-based bullying in that month, a 16% increase from the previous month, which held 102. 

After the Brussels attack on March 22, 2016, Childline was contacted 99 times on racial and faith based bullying in the same month, a rise of almost 50 per cent from February 2016, where it held 67 sessions.

A girl, aged 15, said: “The boys in my class are always calling me a ‘terrorist’ but my teachers do nothing about it. It makes me so angry and upset that I’ve started to cut myself because it numbs the pain.” 

Male, aged 12, said: “I’m upset because people are making racist comments to me today and talking about the Manchester attack. It’s annoying and unfair because I have nothing to do with the attack. People shouldn’t jump to conclusions and assume that just because someone is a Muslim they are a terrorist.”

Male, aged 13, said: “People keep bullying me because I'm black. They say some really hurtful things to me and disrespect my family. I have spoken to my head teacher about it but it's just made things worse for me and the bullies have been doing it in secret so no one notices. Sometimes I wish I could just end it all.” 

Childline President and founder, Dame Esther Rantzen, said: “When these events happen we adults are so often overwhelmed with horror we sometimes forget about the children watching too.

Childline is in a unique position to be able to hear from children who may be ignored or overlooked when there are major events, like terror attacks. It’s crucial adults are aware of this issue and protect those who may be targeted.” 

NSPCC CEO Peter Wanless said: “No child should be targeted because of their race or faith and we cannot allow prejudice to make children feel ashamed of who they are. Instead, we should celebrate diversity and stand together. 

"It takes huge courage for a child to speak up about this issue and they must be encouraged to speak up if they are being targeted.

“Some children don’t understand how painful and damaging their words can be, so adults must not turn a blind eye if they see young people turning on one another. We must defend those who are being targeted, and explain to those who are bullying others why what they’re doing is harmful and wrong.”

Parents, teachers, and adults should be aware of the signs of bullying, and talk to children who are both being bullied and doing the bullying. They should reassure the bullied child it is not their fault that this is happening, and that they will help the bullying stop. 

Any child worried about bullying can call Childline on 0800 11 11. Any adult who is concerned about a child can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.