My husband became the best damn 90-pound baseball player his high school had ever known. I learned how to run really fast. I once kicked a boy who was harassing me so hard in the back that I'm lucky he wasn't hospitalized. That's what you did. Learning how to let things roll off your back is a hard concept to learn, but it's well worth learning.
Effect is the fuel that keeps bullies bullying.
We must teach youngsters to cut off the fuel. Words hurt only if you let them. Not only might we see a reduction in school violence but one in tattling and whining and drug and alcohol use, too. Of course, adults should intervene if they witness brutality or cruelty. Bullies should be punished if they are caught.