School bullying: four minors indicted after the suicide of a teenager

Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credits: LOIC VENANCE / AFP 18:34 pm, May 25, 2023

Four minors have been indicted for "school bullying leading to suicide" after the suicide of a 13-year-old girl in Vendin-le-Vieil in the Pas-de-Calais on May 12, announced Thursday the prosecutor of Bethune in a statement. An adult was indicted for "death threats", he added, adding that the five people had been placed under judicial control, in accordance with the requisitions of the prosecutor's office.

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A first situation of harassment had been detected

A judicial investigation was opened on 20 May on charges of "school bullying" having the "effect of a deterioration of living conditions altering health and leading the victim to suicide". According to the rectorate of the Lille academy, this student, Lindsay, was enrolled in 4th grade at the Bracke-Desrousseau college in Vendin-le-Vieil. She committed suicide on the evening of May 12 at her home. A "first situation of harassment" had been reported concerning her, "treated by the establishment," said the rectorate to AFP. It had led to "a harassment commission and the appropriate sanctions had been pronounced", he added. A student implicated at the time later left the school, he said.

A support cell has been set up since May 15 in the college. "I think of Lindsay, her family, her friends. We continue the fight, "had tweeted Wednesday evening the Minister of National Education, Pap Ndiaye, on the occasion of the award of the prize "No to harassment". "Bullying at school is a scourge that we must fight collectively: for the well-being of our students, for their safety, for living together," he added.

Bullying at school is a scourge that we must fight collectively: for the well-being of our students, for their safety, for living together. As I present the No to Harassment Award today, I think of Lindsay, her family, her friends. We continue the fight. pic.twitter.com/Jyaa8K0cG6

— Pap Ndiaye (@PapNdiaye) May 24, 2023

A system for preventing bullying in elementary and middle schools, the pHARe program, was tested from 2019 in six academies. It is expected to complete its generalization to all public elementary schools and colleges this year. According to the ministry, 91% of colleges and 64% of schools are now enrolled in this program. At the request of Pap Ndiaye, the rectors will have to mobilize academic and departmental services to achieve the goal of 100%.