A 14-year-old student was arrested inside the classroom, in front of his classmates, on Monday (18), at a school in Alfortville, in the metropolitan region of Paris.
The teenager is accused of harassing a 15-year-old transgender girl.
The young man allegedly sent messages to the girl on social media with expressions such as “dirty transvestite”, “let’s cut your throat”, “I hate your race” and “you deserve to die”, according to the French Minister of Education, Gabriel Attal, in an interview with BFM, a French broadcaster affiliated with CNN .
The young man’s attacks were condemned, but the decision to carry out the arrest in front of other students also shocked students and parents.
The action took place amid the French government’s attempt to tighten its repression against harassment in schools, after the death of the boy Nicolas, in early September, who committed suicide after suffering bullying.
The student’s parents had informed the school about the harassment suffered by their son, but received in response a letter, in a threatening tone, in which the board said that the Penal Code provided for fines of up to 45 thousand euros for slanderous reports.
On that occasion, the Minister of Education spoke out condemning the board’s letter and promising tough measures to reduce cases of bullying in the French educational system.
This Wednesday (20), government spokesman Olivier Véran said that the boy’s detention in the classroom was carried out within the law and following the guidelines of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the school team.
“This is how we will confront this scourge of harassment. This is how we will also protect our children, sending strong messages”, said Véran, in a press conference after the council of ministers meeting.
To BFM, Gabriel Attal acknowledged that the student’s arrest in the classroom “may raise questions”, but argued that no one should underestimate “a phenomenon that leads to the tragic death of many young people in the country”. And he stated that “there can be no serenity without authority” and that cases of harassment require “a quick reaction”.
Bullying and suicide
After Nicolas’ death, other cases came to light of children who committed suicide after suffering bullyingfaced with accusations of leniency on the part of schools.
Educational associations say that cases of aggression are becoming more common and also violent because of the internet.
According to the French entity that combats violence and harassment in schools, “Marion la main tendue”, students are increasingly having access to content inappropriate for their age in the virtual environment.
This leads young people to trivialize speeches of violence and insults and, because they are not mature enough, many absorb and reproduce these behaviors.
According to the organization, as young people are still unaware of issues such as sexual orientation and gender equality, this has led to recurring episodes of sexist and homophobic comments, in addition to their often tragic consequences.
See also: Almost half of students suffered violence in schools, says study
Source: CNN Brasil
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