I was in a new school every year from K-9 (Army brat). I got to break in a new bully every year. Fortysome years ago the SOP of turning the other cheek and telling the staff was generally ineffective--but was my only course of action. Three weeks into sixth grade, I hit my set point, and stomped the snot out of the bully (i.e. Ralphie, in 'A Christmas Story'). When he came back into school with raccoon eyes, a taped nose, and a broken wrist, he was NOT interested in me. That reputation successfully followed me across town to junior high the following year. Guess who the 9th graders didn't mess with?
I didn't get much negative feedback from that incident, but I hate to think what it would be like today.
What I did learn in high school from that, was that a more controlled attack could strike as much fear/respect, with less damage.

edited for clarity