It’s not a matter of kicking their butts. And sure, the first time you strike out at one and it’s not a decisive blow, you’re likely to get the snot kicked out of you. But that will more than likely be the last time they mess with you. Bully’s like easy targets, if they know they’re likely to face real resistance of any kind they won’t bother.
But the past is the past, c’est la vie.
Edit: ^What MFM said.