The fight against harassment and violence in schools

The well-being and success of all students is the primary objective of the school. However, studies on the school climate show that some young people suffer from situations of violence and harassment particularly at school. Break the law of silence, as is the objective of the first edition of the National Day No harassment of 5 November.

APS Recruitment September 2012 The presidential commitment to recruit 500 prevention and security assistants (APS) allows increasing the presence of adults in schools and institutions that are experiencing difficult situations. Ministerial Mission in November 2012 a ministerial mission in charge of prevention and fight against violence in schools is created.

Act 8 July 2013 the school's reconditions law of the Republic of 8 July 2013 pays special attention to maintaining a peaceful climate in school all schools and institutions. Campaign November 26, 2013 an awareness campaign Act against harassment at school was launched on 26 November 2013. With the establishment of 31 academic referents listening to victims and witnesses, 10 cartoons to raise awareness schoolchildren, 6 sheets for parents and students, a training plan for teachers, a guide to fight against cyber bullying and baptized prices Let us mobilize against harassment.

Summary of activities 6 February 2015 Najat Vallaud-Belkacem took stock of actions undertaken between 2012 and 2014 to fight against harassment at school. She also introduced new initiatives to be put in place during 2015 and 2016 to raise awareness, training and support. Second edition of the Prix April 3, 2015 the second edition of the prize Let us mobilize against harassment received the participation of thousands of students, aged 8-18 years, in twenty-six academies.

Over 800 projects have been completed. Day of mobilization November 5, 2015 The first edition of the day of action to say no harassment at school was launched by Najat Vallaud Belkacem and will be repeated every year. National education must protect students and staff against all types of violence, including violence everyday, less visible, but often at the source of the most tragic events.

The plans that have succeeded in France in recent years have addressed this question partially and usually at the discretion of the various facts and solely through the lens of the fight against crime. Studies show that being a victim, perpetrator or witness violence may be the cause of academic difficulties, absenteeism or dropout. A gradient school climate can also generate more violence and cause disorders of psychological and emotional balance.

The prevention and fight against violence in schools is a major challenge for the educational success of all students. And one of the objectives is to address inequality to violence: 10% of establishments account for more than half of the incidents, 5% third, and neighborhoods are the most affected.  In the field, this policy of prevention is reflected in particular by strengthening the presence of adults in institutions, notably with since September 2012, prevention and security assistants (APS), complementary to mobile security teams. Relations with partner’s educators, social workers, police and justice, local authorities, etc. are developed to promote safety in schools and institutions.

The creation of the ministerial delegation to the prevention and fight against violence in schools, in November 2012, aims to identify priorities and to propose concrete measures.

Finally, one of the levers to prevent and fight against violence in schools is the initial and continuing training of personnel. These are indeed the first to be confronted with facts of violence and should be able to spot the first signs of attack or harassment and respond appropriately.

Preventing violence and improving the school climate are an integral part of initial training in higher schools of the teaching and education (ESPE). The ministerial delegation in charge of the prevention of violence in schools has developed specific training modules, with the help of a group of seven ESPE.