A Lanarkshire campaigner has marked anti-bullying week by recalling her own experiences and calling "everyone to be respected".
Jenny McGibbon, from Rutherglen, was born with gastroschisis and now lives with a scar across her abdomen, no belly button, and several chronic health problems.
While at school, Jenny was bullied regularly.
That has led her to take on a campaigning role with the charity, Changing Faces, helping give a voice and platform to people with visible differences - such as scars, marks or conditions on the face or body.
Research by Changing Faces and the charity Childwise, found that having a visible difference often led to issues for young people.
Jenny told Lanarkshire Live : "“For a decade, aged seven to seventeen, I was bullied for my visible difference.
"I was dragged around the playground by my hair, cornered in bathrooms and had clothing removed without consent.
"People gawked and whispered and touched. Sometimes I’d receive verbal abuse about it on the bus in the morning; I hadn’t even entered the school grounds yet.
"Being bullied at school impacts your education; a time in life that shapes the adult you might turn into. I’m speaking out because I believe everyone deserves to feel respected.
"Every environment you’re in should be a safe one. Whether that’s school, work, the changing room or the street.
"You’re deserving of that."
Now Jenny has joined Changing Faces in calling for greater support in educating children at a young age that visible differences should not be mocked.
Heather Blake, chief executive of the charity, told us : "Bullying isn’t just a childish act, it can impact a person’s self-esteem and confidence for many years.
"Taking that first step towards overcoming the impact of bullying doesn’t have a time limit, and Changing Faces is here to listen whenever you feel ready to talk.
"We speak out and campaign to challenge the bullying and discrimination faced by too many people who have a visible difference.
"Hopefully, we’ll get to a point where people with a visible difference no longer have to reach out because of bullying, but until then, it’s vital that they get the support they need."
More details on the work of Changing Faces can be found here.
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