This was something I was thinking on a while ago, but you have given me another insight on it. Bullies can only affect you when you allow them to make you afraid. Yes, they might physically hurt you, but it's your fear of that pain that keeps you defenceless. If you can push past that fear of what might happen if you refuse their demands and prepare yourself to deal with the consequences that might come, then you are equipping yourself to stop the problem in its tracks. Helping each other to reach that point does seem to be the logical next step.