UK charity reports sharp rise in Islamophobic abuse against children

Islamophobic and racist attacks against UK children has risen considerably since recent terror attacks, according to child protection charity Childline.

The telephone counselling service says it has seen a surge in the number of calls it has received, including from children as young as nine who have been branded "terrorists".

Childline says that in the fortnight that followed the Manchester attack in May, almost 300 counselling sessions were held with children who were worried about terrorism. 

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children said that it has held over 2,500 sessions with children who were in need of counselling due to racial abuse.

Some had turned to self-harm as a result of the abuse they had received. Many others also said they wished they could "change who they are" because of the negativity that has become attached to their religious or racial background.

Muslim children in particular were most at risk of abuse, with name calling and threats of violence directed at them. For young girls wearing hijabs, this had also become a point of attack for racists.

Since the Finsbury Park terror attack - in which one Muslim man was killed - Islamophobic attacks have received greater media attention. This has also led to calls for greater scrutiny of Britain's right-wing press, who have been accused of being complicit in stoking tensions.

Last week, a man in Yorkshire was knocked unconscious in his home by attackers who spray-painted the words racist graffiti on the walls, and "We need a final solution".

The words echoed a call made by right-wing MailOnline columnist Katie Hopkins, who was sacked by LBC Radio for tweeting the Nazi-inspired phrase.