The Canopé 06 workshop in Nice organized a conference on January 17th about combating school bullying.
Cap Jeunesse organized this conference with the aim of debating and informing on the topic of school bullying.
In France, one in five children is a victim of bullying. Three forms of school bullying lead to a type of violence based on the rejection of differences and the stigmatization of certain characteristics:
- Moral bullying.
- Physical bullying.
- Sexual bullying.
These alarming numbers continue to rise. In 2023, IFOP’s study states that 15% of adolescents aged 13 to 15 reported being victims of bullying, and 24% for young people aged 16 to 20. Thus, 16% of middle and high school students in France have been victims of at least one form of physical, verbal, and psychological violence every day for at least a month.
In total, 19% of adolescents fall victim to bullying based on physical criteria. Nora Tirane Fraisse asserts that 94% of cases occur in the playground and 80% result from mob behavior. The main warning signs of school bullying include violence (physical or verbal), repetition, and isolation.
Prevention among young people, parents, and teachers
To address this issue, the association proposes several solutions:
- Preventive actions starting from a young age.
- Strengthening the pHARe program, which combats school bullying.
- Enhancing preventive actions and communication follow-ups with families.
- Improving training and responsibility of teachers and student ambassadors against bullying.
According to Sandrine Eschenaver, the development of PSC (psycho-social skills) is crucial. This includes empathy, training for parents, students, and the supervision of recess.
Sanctions and Punishments: What Do Harassers Face?
Within the school establishment, sanctions can be varied such as responsibility measures, temporary exclusion from class or the establishment, or even permanent exclusion.
Yet, is this really effective against bullying? In 2023, out of 918 cases handled, 84% of these cases are considered resolved. However, bullying is not limited to school; it extends beyond school premises, as seen in 2023 with the case of middle school student Lindsay. According to her family, the young girl was bullied “in the street, at school, at home.”
We also cannot overlook the impact of social media on youth and the cyberbullying that ensues. School bullying increasingly goes hand in hand with this, with IFOP’s study informing us that 44% of bullying results from the impact of the internet.
Sanctions can also be criminal, involving filing a complaint in case of bullying. Since March 3, 2022, France has implemented a law aimed at combating school bullying and improving the right to a harassment-free education. It enables harassers to face up to ten years in prison and a fine of €150,000.
If you need help, or if you see someone needing help, there are three free and anonymous phone numbers available to listen to young people. Call 30 18, 30 20, and 119.