YOUNGSTERS who are being bullied can turn to a charity for help.

Victim Support Kirklees also has a number of projects under way to try to stop the misery of bullying in Huddersfield schools.

This week has been Anti-Bullying Week and the charity - based at Fitzwilliam Street in Huddersfield town centre - is anxious to do all it can to stop unhappy school days.

The charity has a Young People's Empowerment Project, which has been running since 2002. Funding has now been secured until 2008.

Victim Support Kirklees manager Carole Smith said: "Children often do not see bullying as a crime, but often the bullies commit offences such as assault and robbery.

"The victims just see it as a part of school life.

"A big part of the Young People's Empowerment Project is to encourage young people to talk about what is happening to them - and that could be to Victim Support.

"Bullying can have powerful knock-on effects throughout people's lives and when we talk to adult victims of crime now, some have vivid memories of being bullied at school."

She added: "We helped 2,500 youngsters last year and anyone can turn to us for help and support, including the families and carers of children being bullied.

"A lot of bullying victims believe no-one listens, cares or helps and sometimes if they go to adults they think the young person must have done something to attract the bullies' attention."

Young People's Empowerment Project development worker Sally Haynes said: "Bullying can have a ripple effect, causing the young person to change their personality.

"They may become withdrawn or go the other way and be badly behaved, even to the extent of bullying their own brothers and sisters.

"They could fake illness because they can no longer face going to school or their standard of work suddenly drops."

The project has many schemes running.

These include:

* Personal safety workshops in schools for children aged 10 to 13, run with the Huddersfield Giants.

* A drop-in service at Newsome High School where youngsters can talk to Sally about any problems they may have. Youngsters redecorated the meeting room themselves using money from Newsome Community Forum. The aim now is to extend the drop-in sessions to other schools.

* There is a peer mentoring scheme at Newsome High where 11-year-olds are befriended by older pupils.

* Drama productions about bullying, featuring actors from Huddersfield University. They act out a scene and the pupils talk about what could happen next and the choices they could make to stop the bullying going on. It also shows bullies the misery they cause their victims.

* A data CD made by children about bullying which features music and sketches. This is shown in schools and encourages youngsters to report bullying.

* Youngsters have entered a competition to design a Christmas card for Victim Support Kirklees.

* A photographic exhibition will be staged early next year at Huddersfield Art Gallery. The photographs have been taken by young people, showing the impact crime has on their communities.

Carole added: "All this shows the importance about listening to young people and their opinions.

"They are greatly valued."