Like, you know if you intervene and tell the person who's harrassing your friend to just fuck off, they'll only increase their tormenting. You feel like this sort of thing has to be stopped, but you know that any action will exacerbate the situation.
It's not a nice feeling to have - that a friend is in trouble and there is literally nothing you can do but offer and a hug and other condolences. There's no advice, no true empathy (because for some reason unbeknownst to you, you've been left alone) there's only sympathy and this overreaching sense that you're pretty bloody useless.
This year I've pretty much had the worst time of my life, and the people around me have too. I don't want the pain and suffering to continue, for anyone. I would never wish anyone complete and utter pain, I'd like to be able to help. But I can't do that either.