Record number of boys calling ChildLine in Scotland

ChildLine counselled a record number of boys last year, but boys still need to be reassured that it is ok to ask for help, according to a new NSPCC report.

“There’s still the stigma that boys don’t cry, but it may be that there’s no longer so much pressure to be macho. We’re certainly seeing more boys wanting to talk about feeling lonely, sad or isolated than ever before.” Head of ChildLine in Scotland, Elaine ChalmersVolunteer counsellors at ChildLine in Scotland counselled almost 12,000 boys from across the UK last year – a 94% increase from five years ago. Although the service still gets more calls from girls, the proportion of boys calling ChildLine in Scotland has increased in the last five years from one in four to one in three.

The report, What boys talk about to ChildLine, .found that boys are far less ready to share their problems with anyone else before ringing ChildLine. Nearly half of those who did said they hadn’t told anyone before calling the service. Bullying was the top problem, with 2,902 boys from across the UK counselled by ChildLine in Scotland volunteers last year. Other main problems for boys counselled by ChildLine in Scotland include physical and sexual abuse, family relationship problems and facts of life.

Key findings from What boys talk about to ChildLine, which looks at calls from boys from across the UK include:

The number of boys calling ChildLine feeling lonely, sad and isolated has increased five-fold from 980 five years ago to 12,568
6.016 boys called about serious emotional stress within the family
5,362 boys called about the facts of life.
Nearly 5,000 boys rang ChildLine to disclose sexual abuse, of these nearly 2,000 rang to report that they had been raped.
3,510 boys called about sexuality, three times the figure five years ago
Younger boys are more likely to call about physical abuse and bullying whereas teenage boys call more about sexual problems, loneliness, depression and mental health problems, alcohol and drug abuse.
Last year, more than 7,000 boys mentioned family relationships problems as an additional issue making it the most common extra problem for boys.

The report recommends that:

There is a need for alternative and innovative way to engage with boys and their problems. Also, boys appear more willing to use new technology. There is a need for ChildLine to continue to explore a range of methods for children to access support and advice services.
It is never acceptable to hit a child. The NSPCC is reiterating its call on the importance of reforming the law to give children equal protection under the law on assault.
Parents and carers should work at building an open, trusting relationship when children are very young and be ready to listen to their worries, so that these habits are in place.
It is important that boys get a clear message that it is OK to ask for help before and at point of crisis
There is a need for personal development curricula to address issues about bullying, facts of life and sexuality

If you need to talk to someone about your problems, you can talk to Childline on 0800 11 11, or if you would like specific information and advice about LGBT issues, you can text us on 0778 148 17 88.

To find out more about Childline’s work, please visit: www.childline.org.uk

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