Friends kid is being attacked by bullies at school.

Location: Iowa, USA

My good friends (33F) son (12M) has been getting bullied at school multiple times by different bullies spanning a few years. He’s such a sweet kid, too. His current bully, and his friends chased him down at school to beat him up. They punched him in the face (not the first time he’s been attacked on his face) and the school isn’t doing anything. He was bleeding from his nose. My friend went to file a police report the other day. There is a video of the attack. Still the school isn’t doing anything. He was harassed yet again today, even though the school said they’d separate him and change classes around so they won’t interact.

My friend did a stakeout today, and sat in her car to watch her son playing outside during recess. She saw the bully come for her son again today. No teachers in sight. They said they’d watch her son, and the bully but they’re not. Teachers aren’t monitoring outside time.

! My question is:

You know how adults who are being harassed by someone can say, “if you contact me again, I will press charges” to stop the harassment?

! Can kids threaten to press charges? Can my friends son threaten to press charges or does the mom have to do it? Can a mom press charges for her school aged child? If my friends son says, “if you try to interact with me further, I will press charges,” to stop harassment? Can a child threaten the bully to press charges with legal weight behind it? I don’t know if the bully’s parents have been notified or that they’re not taking it seriously. Their kid is a fvcking ashhole and they need to get checked.

My friend is at a loss, and I’m heartbroken every time bullying has happened to her poor kid :(

She’s looking into martial arts classes for her son. I recommended Jeet Kun Do, and Bruce Lee made JKD. Others have said jujutsu. He’s such a peaceful and kind kid and my heart aches for him.

I want to help so bad.

Thank you in advance 🥺