The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) is this week highlighting the negative impact bullying has on children.
The ISPCC today launched its Anti-Bullying Awareness week calling on supporters to buy and wear a shield badge, showing their support for the ISPCC and rights of all children and young people in Ireland.
The organisatyion will be running a 24-hour helpline - contactable on 1800 66 66 77 - throughout the week for anyone who needs advice on tackling bullying.
The campaign is being supported by celebrities including Mark Feehily, Brian O'Driscoll, Brendan O'Carroll, Cher Lloyd, Colin Farrell, Jamie Heaslip, Jedward, Keith Barry, Laura Whitmore, Louis Walsh, Olly Murs, Saoirse Ronan, The Wanted and Westlife.
Westlife star Feehily said he knows 35-year-olds who still cry themselves to sleep because of bullying they experienced as children.
A former victim of bullying himself, the singer said it led to a complete withdrawal from a social life.
"I just kind of held it all inside," he said.
"I was too afraid to tell anyone about it.
"I was scared that if I told people it would make it 10 times worse."
Caroline O'Sullivan, Director of Services with the ISPCC, said bullying has a seriously damaging effect on children.
"It has a huge, damaging effect on young people, particularly following a long period of bullying," Ms O'Sullivan said.
"They effectively don't view themselves as being capable or effective individuals that are worthwhile.
"Bullying affects self-esteem; children feel isolated; they become withdrawn; they become depressed and they are insecure.
"For some children that leads them to consider suicide."
Westlife star Mark Feehily lashes Twitter sickos who abuse him
Tuesday April 24 2012
WESTLIFE singer Mark Feehily has revealed how he suffered years of abuse on Twitter.
The 31-year-old claims the online threats he has received are of such a serious nature that the perpetrators "would be in jail' had they made the same comments to his face.
But even boyband star Mr Feehily found that his attempts to contact Twitter about the threats led nowhere.
Launching an anti-bullying week yesterday on behalf of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC), the Sligo man said the abuse had not only been aimed at him, but at friends and family as well.
"I'm not talking about people saying your music is crap. I'm talking about proper abuse. I can't go into what they said but some of the things that have been said to me on Twitter, if someone walked up to me on the street and said them to me... they would be in jail," Mr Feehily told the Irish Independent.
But the songwriter and boyband star, who came out in 2007, revealed his attempts to contact Twitter to report the abuse had been unsuccessful.
"I have tried at different levels to report it and got nothing back," he said.
The boyband star added: "The social network online has exploded. I've experienced sick people on Twitter who hide behind a fake profile name.
"I believe there is a high level of tolerance about it and people are getting away with all sorts of things.
"The people at the top of the ladder in Twitter have to take responsibility. They have this social platform but they need to monitor it," he added.
"There needs to be the ability for people to report incidents, and for something to actually be done about it when you report an incident," said Mr Feehily, who has previously spoken about his experience of bullying at school in Sligo.
To mark the week which runs from April 23-30, the ISPCC is urging people to join the fight against bullying and child abuse by wearing the ISPCC shield. A dedicated bullying support line has also been set up on 1800 666677 which will be available 24 hours a day for the week.
Launching the ISPCC shield with 'Voice Of Ireland' contestant Kiera Byrne and ISPCC head Ashley Balbirnie, Mr Feehily made one of his first public appearances since splitting up from fiance Kevin McDaid at Christmas.
He looked visibly moved when asked how he was coping with the end of the seven-year relationship.
"It was my first major relationship and my first break-up. I'm dealing with it quite well but I wouldn't lie and say it was easy but at the same time, these things happen in life.
"I think any break-up is difficult -- it's still very fresh for me.
"Just like everybody you take every day as it comes and when you're faced with a challenge in life you can either let it consume you or you can stand up and try and learn and grow as a person and move on," he said.
Tuesday April 24 2012
WESTLIFE star Mark Feehily has had counselling to deal with the severe bullying he suffered as a teenager.
The newly single chart-topper, who recently split from fiance photographer Kevin McDaid, confessed that the dark memories of what he endured during his school days still haunt him.
The 31-year-old told the Herald: "I'm not afraid to say that I've definitely had some counselling.
"It's weird the stigma that can be attached to counselling, I don't know where that came from, but as I say, yeah, I have done it and I think it's a fantastic thing to do."
Break-up
He was speaking at the launch of the first ISPCC Anti-Bullying Awareness Week in Dublin's Westbury Hotel.
Mark also broke his silence on his relationship with Kevin and confessed he has found it difficult to get over the split.
"It's still very fresh for me ... Talking about it isn't something I really want to do.
"It's fresh and like anybody, you take everything as it comes.
"It's my first major relationship and obviously my first break-up, so I'm dealing with it."
The Sligo man is now setting his mind on reuniting on stage with Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Shane Filan for Westlife's Farewell Tour.
labutler@herald.ie
Mark Feehily was joined by The Voice contestant Keira Bryne
Westlife star Mark Feehily says he knows 35-year-olds who still cry themselves to sleep because of bullying they experienced as children.
The popstar has joined forces with the ISPCC to highlight the issue of bullying.
A number of people from the entertainment worldincluding Jedward and Louis Walsh will wear a blue shield badge to show their support for those affected.
Mark says childhood bullying can shape persons life forever.
He says for him it lead to a complete withdrawal from a social life
BRAVE Westlife star Mark Feehily has told how hes trying to put his marriage cancellation behind him and look forward to the future. The Sligo crooner, 31, was devastated following the split with photographer ex Kevin McDaid, 28, over Christmas after seven years together.
But he revealed hes taking it one day at a time and slowly adjusting to single life, while also keeping busy with a number of projects in the pipeline.
Mark, who was due to wed Kevin this year, said: It was nearly seven years so of course its strange something you have to get used to. I wouldnt have had any relationships before that.
A lot of people go through this when theyre 18 or younger and Im sure everyone remembers their first major break-up.
Its definitely strange. Its something you dont get over overnight. Im still getting there.
But the boyband fave also revealed how he is excited for the future after Westlife.
The lads are due to go their separate ways this summer after 14 years together and Mark dreams of a solo music career.
He said: Singing and the creative side of things is what I love to do.
I hope to hit the ground running and continue to do that, whatever level or whatever way Im not sure yet.
I definitely want to make an album. I havent thought about it that much, Im just focusing on Westlife until its over.
Feehily met fans yesterday including sisters Zoe and Millie Thompson, aged ten and four, from Kevin Street, Dublin as he launched the ISPCCs Anti-Bullying Week, which runs until Monday.
The charity is urging the people of Ireland to join the fight against bullying and child abuse by wearing the ISPCC Blue Shield.
Well-known celebs including Colin Farrell, Jamie Heaslip, Brian ODriscoll, Jedward, Westlife, Louis Walsh, Laura Whitmore, Keith Barry and Saoirse Ronan are all supporting the campaign.
And Mark, who revealed he was gay in 2005 and since admitted he was the victim of vicious bullies as a child, told how he believes adults need to take more responsibility about stopping bullying as kids themselves often dont realise the damage they are doing.
The Westlifer said to Ray DArcy on Today FM: I was quite a chubby kid and quite shy so Id all the features (bullies prey on) It was just a horrible experience.
All we can do with kids is let them know what theyre doing can be so powerful in a negative way. It can ruin someones life.
Westlife star says pain from split still Very Fresh
Mark Feehily, has revealed that the pain from his split from his ex-fiance, Kevin McDaid, is still very fresh.
The couple had been together for seven years, and had got engaged in January 2010. The singer announced their split via Twitter in January this year.
Feehily said: I think any break-up is difficult to be honest with you. Even talking about it is not something that I really want to do.
Its fresh and just like anybody you take every day as it comes.
The Westlife singer yesterday launched an anti-bullying campaign for the ISPCC, saying that he too had suffered at the hands of the bullies.
The memory is still with me. It probably affects me in ways Im not even fully aware of myself subconsciously.
He added: In the photo for the campaign obviously its all make-up. I actually did get that done to me one day when I was walking home from school. You never forget those moments.
Westlife
This week-long national campaign will emphasise that bullying should not be seen as a rite of passage or a normal part of childhood, it should not be tolerated and must be taken seriously. Bullying is a critical issue, the impact of which can be detrimental to a young persons life and wellbeing; it can negatively affect self-esteem and feelings of self-worth, increase social isolation, lead a child to become withdrawn and depressed, anxious and insecure. In desperation, some young people even consider suicide.
