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25/08/2004
NI Childline figures show dramatic rise in calls
The number of young people in Northern Ireland seeking help from Childline is greater than anywhere else in the UK, it was revealed today.
Figures released by the counselling service today revealed that a total of 1,635 children contacted Childline in 2003-2004 compared to just 985 the year before.
These figures mirror a national increase which has seen the total number of children seeking help from Childline soar from 21,000 in April 2003 to over 31,000 in March 2004.
Bullying is cited as the main reason for the uptake and the charity confirmed that one in four calls received to its helplines concerns bullying.
Paddy Shannon, from Childline Northern Ireland, said that the increased number of children using the helpline reflects the fact that children are aware they can access help and does not necessarily indicate that more children are being bullied.
A new fundraising initiative - the Childline Foundation - is currently being launched in a bid to raise more funds for the charity which is still unable to answer all the calls registered to its helplines.
Esther Ranzen, chair of Childline, said: "Bullying wrecks lives - it can not only destroy children’s happiness but also seriously damages children’s capacity for learning and for enjoying school."
She acknowledged the work being done by schools to combat bullying, but, as evidenced by Childline's latest figures, stressed the fact that a lot of work still needs to be done.
(MMcG)
Figures released by the counselling service today revealed that a total of 1,635 children contacted Childline in 2003-2004 compared to just 985 the year before.
These figures mirror a national increase which has seen the total number of children seeking help from Childline soar from 21,000 in April 2003 to over 31,000 in March 2004.
Bullying is cited as the main reason for the uptake and the charity confirmed that one in four calls received to its helplines concerns bullying.
Paddy Shannon, from Childline Northern Ireland, said that the increased number of children using the helpline reflects the fact that children are aware they can access help and does not necessarily indicate that more children are being bullied.
A new fundraising initiative - the Childline Foundation - is currently being launched in a bid to raise more funds for the charity which is still unable to answer all the calls registered to its helplines.
Esther Ranzen, chair of Childline, said: "Bullying wrecks lives - it can not only destroy children’s happiness but also seriously damages children’s capacity for learning and for enjoying school."
She acknowledged the work being done by schools to combat bullying, but, as evidenced by Childline's latest figures, stressed the fact that a lot of work still needs to be done.
(MMcG)
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