YOUNG people in Dudley are being asked to support national Anti-Bullying Week.

The initiative runs from November 17 to 21 and aims to prevent and respond to issues of bullying in schools and the wider community.

The seventh Dudley debate for children and young people will take place in the council chamber on Monday (November 17), and is hoped to spark a lively discussion.

Safe and Sound, Dudley’s community safety partnership is also encouraging schools and organisations to visit and promote the borough’s anti-bullying website for young people.

The site features a number of video clips, which can be viewed on the website and onYouTube, showing young actors playing out situations of physical bullying, being left out, peer pressure and being called names.

Clips aim to highlight the different forms of bullying, the serious implications of it and ways young people can get help and can be viewed by visiting www.safeindudley.org/bullying.

Lesson plans for schools and youth workers which compliment the videos are also available to download from the site, along with advice and useful links for young people who are being bullied.

Gaye Partridge, cabinet member responsible for community safety, said: “Bullying isn’t acceptable under any circumstances. It can be heart breaking for the children involved and for their families.

“Anti-Bullying Week is a real opportunity to highlight to young people how serious bullying can be and that there are people who can help.

“It’s also really important for parents and those who work with children to familiarise themselves with the content of our website so they are more able to support young people who are affected.”

During the week staff across borough schools will also be given the opportunity to take part in various training courses.

Information about bullying for parents, children and practitioners is also available at www.dudley.gov.uk.