Act No. 2022-299 to combat bullying in schools
On Thursday 24 February, following a final vote by MPs, the National Assembly definitively adopted a bill supported by the presidential majority, which creates the offence of school bullying. Until now, this was punishable under other charges, including psychological harassment.
Sentence: 3 years' imprisonment
Bullying at school will now be punishable by three years' imprisonment and €45,000 fine when it causes total incapacity for work (ITT) of less than or equal to eight days. The measure will be tightened if the ITT exceeds eight days, and may even reach ten years' imprisonment and a fine of €150,000 when the events have led the victim to commit suicide or attempt to do so.
A course on «awareness of the risks associated with bullying» may also be ordered by the judge.
The age of the perpetrator will be taken into account. The perpetrator may be a student or member of staff at a school or university who has been found guilty of harassment.
In order to better combat cyberbullying On social media, parliamentarians have authorised the seizure and confiscation of mobile phones and computers that have been used to harass a pupil or student. Safeguards are in place.
Finally, the text includes the fight against bullying in schools among the objectives assigned to internet players (platforms and internet service providers – ISPs) and establishes the obligation to moderation of content Bullying on social media>.
The text was submitted by MP Erwan Balanant and several of his colleagues on 5 November 2021.
