CHILDREN as young as nine have asked for counselling after being described as "terrorists" by their schoolmates, the NSPCC has said.
It comes as Childline, the charity's confidential advice service, reveals it has experienced a spike in counselling sessions concerning racial and faith-based bullying following the Westminster Bridge terror attack.
There have been more than 2,500 counselling sessions in the last three years about racial bullying with Childline's Belfast and Foyle offices carrying out 70 sessions last year with children contacting them from across the UK.
The charity said those counselled in these regions do not necessarily live in Northern Ireland.
The charity found students who contacted the service described being called "terrorist" or being bullied for being a Muslim.
Counsellors heard from young people who said the constant abuse and negative stereotyping was so cruel they had self-harmed while young girls were frequently victimised when they wore a hijab or headscarf.
Belfast's Islamic Centre last week revealed several Muslim women have been assaulted in Belfast following the Manchester and London terror attacks.
