Outstanding research-based story at Slate describes why our most instinctive responses to bullying usually don't work, and offers a few suggestions that often do.

mas - i liked this article too. i know that with my own kid, i tend to do the things they say don't make a difference. it bugs me that the onus is often/usually on the victim to do something different. a friend of mine did her field research for her ma in ed leadership on bullying in the middle school grades and emphasized the importance of the community/peers correcting offensive behavior ... they had a motto in their school of "keep it sweet" ....

It happens when those who responsible for prevention these acts of violence in certain micro environments do not do their jobs; left to "swim by themselves", kids, teens, students, soldiers, whoever... resort to the cult of rough force, which serve as fertile ground for further crimes. And how often not small ones...

I was bullied when in school. I went to a very tough urban school. I'm sorry, but I really didn't see anything in this article that would help in a real situation. I was hoping, but nada.