I should point out that 'fear' is not really 'respect'. You can bloody well intimidate people and force them to shut the hell up, but that is not respect, people will just be scared of you, and it is certainly not a way to make friends. That is fear and indimitation. RESPECT is when people wouldn't even think to say anything about you, and they appreciate you. Violence and agression is not a good road to go down, you'll just get in trouble.
I know some Apsies have the view that you can either be a pathetic runt OR be a violent thug, but there is an 'between' that many NT ultilise. That's by being assertive, standing your ground verbally, and not acting scared or violent, but rationally. If you know how to approach it, you can certainly take and deflect any sitaution in a verbal context. And not a cheesy kind of 'I understand you Mr. Bully" kind of way, or a "back the f**k off before I split your head in two" way either. Look up assertivness, and see if you can apply it.
Of course a bully might ignore this and just be violent. THEN you fight back, ONLY to STOP him (and do not go overboard). I mean self-defense, of course. Any Authority will understand that you were defending yourself.
Of course a gang of friends does provide 'protection'. Even they're not 'fighters', a bully will see it as a pack, and will be more wary to cause trouble. Assuming you have some friends, of course.
Sorry, but I really had to address some of attitude of 'I want people to fear me' here. It's not the right way, AT ALL.