School bullying is a phenomenon that we talk about more and more regularly and which has been the subject of particular attention recently. Élisabeth Borne, the Prime Minister, has also called for “general mobilization” in the fight against this scourge which affects many students in France.
The government has unveiled an interministerial plan to combat school bullying, which includes several concrete measures. First of all, it will now be obligatory to systematically report cases of school harassment to the courts. In addition, harassing students may be excluded from social networks in order to avoid any form of cyberharassment.
The plan also provides for the establishment of a single emergency help number, 3018, which will allow victims of school bullying or their families to report cases quickly and effectively. An application will also be developed to facilitate this process.
The training of education personnel will also be strengthened in order to better detect and prevent situations of harassment. This training will be extended to all those working with minors, whether in the sporting environment or in summer camps.
To raise children’s awareness of empathy and help them better understand and manage their emotions, “empathy courses” will be introduced into the school curriculum from the start of the 2024 school year. Inspired by the Danish model, these courses will aim to promote respect and goodwill between students.
Finally, Élisabeth Borne underlined the importance of victims’ voices and their commitment in the fight against school bullying. She encouraged students to talk about their experiences and get involved in supporting other victims.
This interministerial plan against school bullying shows the government’s desire to take strong measures to combat this problem which affects many young people in France. The general mobilization called by Élisabeth Borne is an important step in the right direction to put an end to this scourge and guarantee a safe and caring school environment for all students.