When I was a little kid, I got bullied regularly at school.

Until I hit one of them right in the face. And a couple of days later, I hit another one right in the face.

I never got bullied again.

Like the other posters said: you have to stand up for yourself one way or the other.

As for the talking behind your back: get used to it It happens all the time and it doesn't get better when people grow older. On the contrary. Besides, rest assured: one day, without realising it, you'll be doing it yourself. It's in our nature and thus it is inevitable.