Once dismissed as an unpleasant rite of passage, bullying is an ordeal which can affect victims for years afterwards.

Elaine Seto, from Livingston, West Lothian, says she still gets uptight when she thinks of the abusive treatment she suffered at school. She and her identical twin sister were bullied relentlessly for years because they stood out.

"One bully in particular seemed to have it in for me every single day," she says. "I used to hide in the toilets, stay at home if my mother was out, or hide in town; anything to avoid her.

"It seemed to go on for such a long time and was so intimidating. She used to get me on my own and pin me in a corner and say things like I was a freak and 'if I hit you do you think your sister will feel it?'.

"She'd pull my hair and punch me. I was constantly terrified. I felt there was nobody I could tell."

"It made me a quieter person and, as I got into teenage years, I was very withdrawn.

As an adult, Elaine says she can't bear to hear of children being bullied which is why she is now a volunteer with NSPCC Scotland's ChildLine Schools Service.

"Of course I can't change what happened to me, but I can inform and help others experiencing it now.

"Fortunately we now recognise that bullying isn't harmless and it doesn't need to happen to everyone."

She believes that knowing that there is help out there and that they don't have to suffer alone, can make all the difference to a child who is feeling isolated.

"I think even to this day people don't understand the impact - it doesn't stop at the school gates, and it can affect you for the rest of your life.

"When I was young there was nothing there for us - no ChildLine - and I'm so glad to be part of the solution."

Run by the NSPCC, the service has been rolled out across the Borders region since November 2011. In that time it has visited 90 primary schools and reached 3501 children.

The service, which aims to help children aged from nine to 11 recognise and protect themselves from all forms of abuse, including bullying, and how to seek help if they need it.

"We know from ChildLine that children are generally over the age of 11 when they report abuse, and by that stage have already been suffering for some time," said Emma Stewart of the NSPCC.

"By reaching children younger, educating them to understand what is - and is not - acceptable behaviour, and empowering them to seek help, we can prevent abuse starting and intervene earlier to minimise its devastating long-term impact.

"Volunteers are central to the success of the service and are trained to deliver safeguarding assemblies and interactive workshops using clear, reassuring and age appropriate messages."

Burgh Primary School in Galashiels is one of the schools which has been visited by the service.

Depute head teacher Martin Wilson says that the pupils were very responsive. "It was giving them the vocabulary and the understanding of what bullying is, and what bullying isn't as well."

He added: "We've got a broad demographic here and although there may not have been a child in the assembly audience directly affected by the issues, they would most definitely be able to recognise them.

"Tony, who led the session, was looking at bullying, keeping yourself safe, positive relationships and allowing the children to recognise situations and to look beyond them and see the support, either in school or an establishment like ChildLine."

Bullying via phones and social media was also touched upon. "There is a variety of methods for children to make other children uncomfortable or miserable or feel anxious, so it was raising awareness that if someone is making you feel bad about yourself through any of these forms of media, then that can be bullying."

"We can't ban the children from using them [social media] because that's a parental issue so we need to educate them on how to use them appropriately."

HOW TO DONATE TO THE HERALD CHRISTMAS APPEAL IN AID OF NSPCC SCOTLAND

lTo donate £4 to NSPCC Scotland and help protect children, please text HERALD to 70744

For terms and conditions, please visit nspcc.org.uk/smsterms

Contact us online for more information at nspcc.org.uk or email events@nspcc.org.uk for ways to get involved. You can also send to NSPCC Scotland, Templeton House, 62 Templeton Street, Glasgow, G40 1DA. Cheques should be made out to NSPCC Scotland.