School bullying: administrative investigation after Lindsay's suicide

Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: DAMIEN MEYER / AFP 18:23 pm, May 26, 2023

The rectorate of the academy of Lille announced Friday the opening of an administrative investigation after the suicide of Lindsay, 13, schooled in the Pas-de-Calais, whose family claims that she was a victim of school bullying. "An administrative investigation will be set up in view of the situation," announced at a press conference Jean-Roger Ribaud, academic director in the Pas-de-Calais, conceding that the school services could have "gone further in the follow-up" of the girl, whose harassment was known to the establishment.

The teenager, schooled in 4th grade at Bracke-Desrousseau College in Vendin-le-Vieil, committed suicide on May 12 in the evening at her home, according to the rectorate. Four minors have been indicted for "school harassment leading to suicide", announced Thursday the prosecutor of Bethune. An adult has been indicted for "death threats". All were placed under judicial control.

An "insufficient" protocol

"The mother was received, Lindsay was received by the nurse, by the CPE (principal education advisor), by the principal" after the report of harassment, said Jean-Roger Ribaud. "We triggered the protocol, it gave a disciplinary council, this disciplinary council made it possible to exclude one of the main perpetrators of what happened," he added. "But unfortunately it proved insufficient." "We must protect" the four minors indicted, "to accompany them so that they can finish their school year in good conditions," said Jean-Roger Ribaud.

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The girl's mother, Betty, told RTL that her daughter had been the victim of "repeated insults" at school and "on social networks". "She was in her bubble, she was angry, she resented the whole world," she added. "I would like everyone who hurt my daughter to pay for it."