Yeah, I read that story too.
Maybe it sounds kinda stupid, but... if I was getting bullied really bad at school, I think it would be a good idea to take some sort of self-defence classes. I mean, learn how to fight properly. I know it doesn't solve problems and all that, but if you have some ability, you are likely to have more confidence, and confidence shows whether you realise it or not. Plus, that sort of thing stands you in good stead for the rest of your life, when you're an adult, too.
Perhaps that sounds shallow, and I'm certainly not meaning to say that some puny kid is going to turn into a superhero overnight and be able to fight off ten huge guys (or girls) with their bare hands. But becoming the victim can be a psychological thing, too - I'm not saying it is to begin with, but it becomes that way. And confidence can go some way towards helping that.
I used to fight even if I would lose. And bullies didn't bother me much after I got over the age of 11-12. Sure, people would still *say* things, but I found that relatively easy to cope with (yeah, I know not everyone does, but rather that than getting physically beaten up perhaps even ending in death if something goes horribly wrong). I mean, there is only any point in fearing physical danger/pain, because mental stuff is at least partly under your control. You can't control what happens to you, but you can control how you react to it.