Rise in hate crime offences against children
Teharan (KNA) - There has been a 14% rise in hate crimes committed against children, according to new figures.
Data from 41 UK police forces found 5,349 offences with a racial, religious or faith-based element where the target was under 18 in 2016/17.
This was compared to 4,695 reported the previous year.The numbers were obtained by the NSPCC through Freedom of Information requests.
The charity said its Childline service conducted 2,699 counselling sessions with young people about race or faith-based bullying between 2014/15 and 2016/17.
Some children said the abuse they were experiencing was so bad that they were self-harming, while others said they were reluctant to go to school because they were worried about the bullying.
Chief executive Peter Wanless, said: "It's heartbreaking to think that some children are targeted by bullies because of their race, culture or nationality.
Source: NewsSky