‘I know how devastating bullying can be’

He may be one of the most successful pop stars of the past decade, but in school, Mark Feehily was bullied.

So much so that, despite his rise to fame and fortune, the scars remain, he admitted yesterday as he launched the ISPCC’s Anti-Bullying Awareness Week.

“Having experienced bullying at first hand, I know how devastating it can be and how much it can affect not only your childhood but your adulthood, too.

“I am still dealing with issues that occurred years ago on a school corridor in Sligo.”

Westlife star Mark was joined at the launch by The Voice contestant Kiera Byrne, who also experienced bullying which she said “has left me completely scarred”. Like Mark, she found solace in music.

The week-long national campaign will emphasise that bullying should not be seen or tolerated as “a rite of passage” or a “normal” part of childhood.

“Bullying is a critical issue, the impact of which can be detrimental to a young person’s life and wellbeing,” said the ISPCC yesterday.

“It can negatively affect self-esteem and feelings of self-worth, increase social isolation, lead a child to become withdrawn and depressed, anxious and insecure.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.”

In recent years there have been some high-profile and tragic cases, among them the death of Irish schoolgirl Phoebe Prince who hanged herself in Jan 2010 after being bullied at a school in the United States.

Her death led to the prosecution of some of the bullies involved and the introduction of anti-bullying legislation in the state of Massachusetts.

To mark anti-bullying week, the ISPCC is urging people to join the fight against bullying and child abuse by wearing the ISPCC Shield, a badge of support for those affected.

A number of celebrities, including Olly Murs, Cher Lloyd, Colin Farrell, Westlife, Brian O’Driscoll, Jamie Heaslip, Jedward, Louis Walsh, Keith Barry, and Saoirse Ronan, along with Mark, are supporting the campaign.

The campaign will highlight the different types of bullying, the devastating impact it can have on children and young people, and provide information and support on how to deal with the issue.

ISPCC chief executive Ashley Balbirnie said: “Through the ISPCC’s Anti-Bullying Week we want all children in Ireland to know that bullying is not acceptable, and that we as a society are willing to fight for children.”

* The ISPCC has a dedicated bullying support line — 1800 666677 — available 24 hours a day for the full week of the campaign.

A micro-site has also been set up with downloadable resources offering tips and advice for young people, parents, teachers and schools.

The site can be accessed at www.ispcc.ie.