Childline signals bullying crisis

A growing number of primary school aged children are calling the
charity helpline Childline about bullying.

Last year, Childline received more calls than ever about
bullying – 18 per cent more than in the previous year.

Bullying now accounts for a quarter of all calls, and is the
single biggest reason children contact Childline.

There were about 8,500 calls from children aged 11 and under
about bullying.

About half said they had experienced name calling and other
verbal abuse and one in three had been physically assaulted.

Many said they had received text messages as part of the
bullying.