Bullied children suffer until they're 50

[Unix]

Yup, agree with that. That, and the fact that the bullies themselves more often than not have issues, too.

But I don't see how an anti-bullying 'tsar' is going to solve this.

I think its part of life, you could get bullied at varying degrees throughout life in work, or on a internet forum for example, you have to learn to deal with them without becoming one yourself.

[Gym beast]

Coincidentally, the last person to punch me was a Frenchman, during a rugby match. I say 'was' a Frenchman because 5 seconds later I don't think he knew where on earth he came from after I, along with a former Fijian international and a former Bath front row explained to him in non-verbal terms that punching people in the goolies is not considered good form in polite company.

I am confident he was still French after being assaulted 3 onto 1.

[Gym beast]

I think its part of life, you could get bullied at varying degrees throughout life in work, or on a internet forum for example, you have to learn to deal with them without becoming one yourself.

Does that include fighting fire with fire?

[Unix]

Does that include fighting fire with fire?

If they hit you hit them back harder.

[Doggy Styles]

There were two big lads at school who were football hooligans and bullies in class.

Much to our surprise one turned up at a reunion a few years ago. He said that after leaving school he'd always felt guilty about it, so in a different way it affected him as well.

The other one wasn't there. Apparently he was hardcore, but he started suffered with serious health problems at about 40. Nobody gave a sh!t.

[Mich the Tester]

I am confident he was still French after being assaulted 3 onto 1.

Indeed, it would have been somewhat over-ambitious to turn him into something worthwhile.

[Gym beast]

If they hit you hit them back harder.

In every sense. But I don't get much opportunity now, being an IT contractor doesn't put me in their environs much any more. The 19 stones might also tend to dissuade them on the few remaining occasions.

[NotAllThere]

Bullied children suffer until they're 50

Then they realise that they can do something about it, and exact revenge.

While there are psychopaths out there who will continually escalate, the best response to most bullies is to not be a victim. I stood up to bullies and despite getting knocked down a few times, I didn't experience the misery that kids who just reacted with fear. As a non-victim, the bullies weren't interested in me. Parental support and treating a punch thrown in the playground as a criminal assault helps as well.

[NotAllThere]

Indeed.

They hadn't invented industrial sized wood chippers back in the day.

I had to make do with one of those hand-powered mince-makers.

[Zero Liability]

I think its part of life, you could get bullied at varying degrees throughout life in work, or on a internet forum for example, you have to learn to deal with them without becoming one yourself.

Certainly, but I don't buy the "it's part of life" thing in the sense that it's inevitable. Bullies don't just spring out of nowhere, magically. And the fact of the matter is that they will prey on those least able to cope with them, i.e. other traumatised or damaged kids. It's different when you're an adult as you're past the formative years of your personality and also in a better position to tell people where to get off.