French schoolchildren sued over 13-year-old bullying and suicide

• Frank Renout

  correspondent France

There has been a commotion in France over the suicide of a 13-year-old boy. He allegedly took his own life after being bullied at school. Four children from his school have been arrested for bullying. They could face up to ten years in prison, as a result of a new law.

The victim’s mother, Séverine, gave a press conference this afternoon, which was broadcast live on television. Her last name has not been disclosed for privacy reasons. “I couldn’t save him,” she said, wiping away her tears. She made an urgent appeal to children who witness bullying. “Talk about it, don’t be afraid. There is always someone who listens, who can help.”

Three weeks ago, 13-year-old Lucas took his own life by hanging himself at home. According to his parents, he had been bullied at school for months because of his open homosexuality. In his diary, the boy wrote that he did not want to live any longer.

The case has sparked a lot of controversy in recent weeks. The Minister of Education expressed his disgust. First Lady Brigitte Macron called it a “drama”. Fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac made a drawing for Lucas, which he dedicated “to all children who are victims of homophobia”.

Justice has started an investigation and will prosecute four children, schoolmates of Lucas. They have been officially charged with “harassment that contributed to suicide”. In theory, the children could be sentenced to ten years in prison for this. It concerns two boys and two girls and all four are also 13 years old.

They were arrested and interrogated last week. “During their interrogation, the children confessed to bullying their schoolmate several times,” the prosecutor said. “That was between September 2022 and January 2023.”

Lucas’s mother would have sounded the alarm at the school last year, but according to the family, the school board did not act enough. The school says it has taken action. There would have been a conversation with the mother and there would also have been talks with bullying children.

In October 2021, a 14-year-old girl, Dinah, committed suicide in the northeast of the country near Mulhouse. She was also said to have been bullied at school because she was a lesbian. The case also sparked outrage. Research has shown that one in ten French children has experienced bullying.

Partly because of this, politicians took action. A bill was presented with harsher penalties. The law took effect in March last year. Since then, pupils, students and teachers can receive three years in prison for bullying and even ten years in prison if it leads to suicide or attempted suicide.

Lucas’s family’s lawyer, Catherine Faivre, said the four children who bullied him will face trial this spring. But the chance that they will receive ten years in prison is minimal. “Because they are minors, any punishment will automatically be halved,” said Faivre. “And some may not be criminalized because of their age, but could receive an educational punishment.”

Lucas’s mother was also forgiving. “They’re just kids,” she said of the four suspects. “I hope they confess that they won’t do it again. But they’re still kids, maybe they didn’t see any harm in it.”

Her message: “Stop bullying. Think about the consequences. One word can hurt.” Next Sunday, a silent march will be held for Lucas.