A theoretical observation, if I may.

Nowadays of course, even if the bullied can hide round a corner and take out a bully with a cricket bat in the teeth, there will be disciplinary vengeance. And without a cricket bat, the bullied have no chance against a bigger fitter, faster, stronger aggressor. So the bullied have nowhere to go. And of course no-one male who was thoroughly bullied will ever admit to it later - because in today's society that is simply "weakness".