France’s parliament introduced a law that threatens bullying with severe penalties in the future.
The French parliament voted to make school bullying a criminal offense that can be punished with up to three years in prison. The MPs involved said society needs a wake-up call for the need of children who are often faced with the problem of bullying, as the British “Guardian” summarized.
The proposed law was supported by Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer. He said the law carries a strong message to society that “we will never accept that our children’s lives will be destroyed”. It is estimated that one in ten French children is bullied and social networks increase the potential for public ridicule and humiliation, the Guardian reported.
The world’s toughest bullying penalties
The draft measures were approved by the House of Commons and are now going to the House of Lords. It is expected to be passed in February 2022 and France to impose some of the toughest penalties in the world for bullying.
Erwan Balanant, member of the MoDem (Democratic Movement) party who drafted the law, said in an interview with the Guardian that the new law and the high penalties are a way of “getting in touch with society as a whole”. He added that it had sent a strong message and “shock wave” through society to raise awareness of the devastating effects of bullying.
He argued that the new legislation would help educate people about bullying and prevention. “It’s not about sending children to jail,” stressed Balanant. “There is a judiciary for minors that takes into account the age and judgment of the accused.” But he also emphasized that criminal laws can determine “the value system of a society”.
More budget for educational work
The new crime “school bullying” affects children and adults in schools and universities, including students and employees such as canteen staff. It would result in a maximum imprisonment of three years and a fine of up to 45,000 euros. If a victim of bullying would kill themselves at school or would even try to do so, the maximum sentence can increase to ten years and 150,000 euros.
In reality, the law is unlikely to result in mass prison sentences – but instead there will be additional community-based programs to raise awareness of bullying, as the law also increases budgets for prevention and awareness-raising, the Guardian concludes. together.
Brigitte Macron’s main topic
By and large, most right-wing and center-right MPs would have supported the law. However, some MPs on the left have criticized it for being too repressive. “We are not in favor of criminalizing minors and increasing repression,” said Michèle Victory, a socialist MP in an interview with the Guardian.
In any case, President Macron’s wife Brigitte – a former teacher – should be satisfied with the novella. She had made the fight against bullying a focus of her charitable work in the Élysée Palace.
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Source From: Stern
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