Very true, I hadn't really considered the victim-blaming that might be done by the victim themself. I definitely find there is a very important and powerful distinction between "fault" and "responsibility", at least in my own way of viewing things.

Fault seems to carry with it an intrinsic wrong-doing by the person who is at fault, where responsibility feels more like a simple recognition of the cause & effect nature of our reality.

I think the cultural & traumatic nature of so much violence is such a massive, glaring piece that many don't take into account enough. Luckily, approval & use of "corporal punishment" (assault) has been on the decline for the past decade, but according to surveys over 50% of Americans still think that is an acceptable & effective method of discipline. Between that and the "heroism" pinned to professional violence-doers, it's no wonder that kids (and adults) resort to violence when triggered.

No matter what the other kid did, violence cannot be a justified response

So very true, and one of the most foundational concepts of my entire philosophy :-)