Fighting more than one attacker is one of the most dangerous situations you can face. It’s chaotic, unpredictable, and there is no room for hesitation. If escape isn’t an option, you need to be fast, mobile, and ruthless. Here are the key principles to remember:
1. Don’t Stand Still
Standing in one spot is the fastest way to get surrounded and overwhelmed. You must keep moving. Your goal is to create angles, break the group’s formation, and avoid getting flanked. Move laterally, circle around, and use your environment (walls, obstacles, exits) to limit how many attackers can reach you at once.
2. Hit First, Hit Hard
There is no time for fancy moves. Your strikes must be fast, explosive, and aimed at vulnerable targets. Go for:
Eyes
Throat
Groin
Knees
Nose
A single well-placed strike can disable or slow an attacker, buying you precious seconds.
3. Use One as a Shield
If possible, take down or grab one attacker and use their body to block others. Push them into the group. This creates confusion and can buy you space to move or escape.
4. Stay on the Edge, Not in the Middle
Never let yourself be surrounded. Stay on the edge of the group so only one or two can reach you at a time. If you get pulled into the center, you’re in serious danger. Keep moving and keep repositioning.
5. End It Fast, Escape Faster
You’re not trying to win a fight — you’re trying to survive. Disable the closest threat, create an opening, and get out. Don’t stick around to fight everyone. Speed and surprise are your allies. Get in, strike hard, get out.
Bottom Line: Move constantly. Hit vulnerable spots. Avoid being surrounded. And most importantly — get away before the numbers catch up to you.
The collage above isn’t just a snapshot of school life, it’s a WAKE UP CALL for educators and society. Chinese, Malay, and English media headlines now regularly report school violence:
“2名初中生承认伤害同学” (Two junior high students admit injuring a classmate)
“Dua pelajar lelaki mengaku salah kes pukul rakan” (Two male students admit to assaulting a friend)
“Primary school student involved in group fight”
(Image source: The Star, Sin Chew Daily, Berita Harian, New Straits Times, 14 August 2025. Used for reference purposes only. All rights belong to their respective owners.)
But the most chilling signal comes from the numbers:
2021: 326 cases
2022: 3,883 cases
2023: 6,528 cases
2024: 6,208 cases
That’s a 1,090% spike in just one year — from 2021 to 2022. And while the numbers dipped slightly in 2024, the scale remains unprecedented.
This isn’t just a rise in bullying. It’s a shift in visibility. More cases are being reported, documented, and shared. What used to be hidden behind classroom doors is now surfacing — in media, in police reports, and in public outrage.
🧨 Recent Cases That Made National Headlines:
Zara Qairina, 13, died after falling from a dormitory in Sabah. Allegations of bullying and cover-up triggered a national investigation.
MRSM Melaka suspended six students for assaulting a peer — a case that went viral.
A Year 5 student in Kelantan was kicked and beaten by classmates — caught on video and reported to police.
A university cadet officer died during training. His family suspects hazing and bullying.
These are just the cases we know about. How many more go unreported? How many victims stay silent?
🚨 Why This Matters
Bullying isn’t just a disciplinary issue, it’s a safety crisis. The emotional and physical toll on students is real, lasting, and often invisible.
We need to ask:
Are schools equipped to prevent and respond?
Are students empowered to speak up?
Are we, as a society, ready to face the scale of this problem?
The numbers don’t lie. The headlines don’t stop. It’s time we stop treating bullying as a hidden issue and start treating it as a national priority.
The best way to reduce bullying is to make yourself a less likely target — and that starts with building awareness, confidence, and clear boundaries.
Tips to develop mental strength and awareness:
Stay alert to your surroundings: Notice when people’s behavior changes or when situations feel unsafe. Trust your instincts.
Practice clear body language: Stand tall, keep your shoulders back, and make eye contact. Bullies often target those who look unsure or scared.
Use your voice confidently: Saying things like “Stop!” or “Leave me alone!” in a firm, calm voice can deter bullies before things escalate.
Choose your company wisely: Surround yourself with friends who support and protect you. Bullies are less likely to target someone who has a strong social circle.
Set personal boundaries: Be clear about what behavior you will not accept. Don’t be afraid to walk away or seek help if someone crosses those lines.
Practice self-care: Taking care of your mental and physical health builds resilience, making it easier to handle difficult situations.
Preventing bullying is a community effort:
Schools, parents, and students should work together to promote respect, kindness, and clear anti-bullying policies.
Everyone should know how to recognize bullying and take action early.
By building these skills and attitudes, you not only protect yourself but help create a safer, more supportive environment for everyone.
Defending yourself physically is important, but what you do after the incident can have a huge impact on your safety and school environment. Reporting the bullying is not just about punishment; it’s about protecting yourself and helping create a safer space for everyone.
How to report properly:
Be factual: Clearly describe what happened — what the bully said, their threatening behavior, and what you did in response. Stick to the facts without exaggeration.
Explain your intent: Make it clear you acted only to protect yourself and create an opportunity to escape, not to harm or retaliate.
Gather witnesses: If friends, classmates, or bystanders saw the event, ask them to share what they saw. Their support strengthens your case.
Report promptly: Don’t wait too long; tell a trusted adult such as a teacher, counselor, or school administrator as soon as possible.
Why reporting matters:
It helps the school take action to stop the bully and prevent future incidents.
It protects you from being blamed or punished unfairly for defending yourself.
It sends a message that bullying is not acceptable and won’t be tolerated.
It creates a record in case the situation escalates or legal action is needed.
Remember: Reporting is a sign of strength, not weakness.
You’ve likely heard that the best way to handle bullying is to either block the attack or just walk away. While these are common pieces of advice, they often don’t work well in real situations — and can sometimes put you at greater risk.
Why “just block” isn’t always safe:
Blocking means you wait for the bully to hit first, giving them control over the fight’s pace.
It’s reactive, not proactive — you’re responding to the bully’s moves instead of preventing them.
Bullies may see blocking as a challenge, encouraging them to test your defenses repeatedly.
This can escalate the bullying rather than stop it.
Why “just walk away” doesn’t always work:
Walking away requires space and time to get away, which might not be available if the bully blocks your path.
Some bullies intentionally trap their targets in confined spaces like hallways or stairwells.
Walking away might be impossible if there are no adults nearby or if the bully follows you.
A better approach:
Urban Street Defense teaches that your best chance is to act before the bully lands the first blow. By striking first in a controlled, safe manner, you disrupt their attack and gain precious seconds to escape. This approach puts you in control and reduces the chance of being hurt or trapped.
