5 hrs ago
France Expands Annual School Bullying Survey to Include Sexual Violence
France is changing a school questionnaire that asks children about bullying.
The questionnaire will now also ask about sexual violence.
More than 10 million students are expected to answer it.
Students can respond anonymously and report worries.
Teachers will hand out and collect the forms in November.
Some parents think schools should help identify and report violence.
Other parents worry that schools should not handle these cases alone.
Experts say children must feel safe and understand where their answers will go.
France will add questions about sexual violence to its annual school bullying questionnaire.
More than 10 million primary and secondary students are expected to complete the form.
Students will be able to answer anonymously and raise concerns about possible violence.
The questionnaires will be distributed in November and collected by teachers.
Parents and child-protection experts support the initiative but differ on schools’ responsibilities and its practical safeguards.
- Who
- France’s Education Ministry, teachers, parents, experts, and more than 10 million primary and secondary students.
- What
- The annual school bullying questionnaire is being expanded to include questions about sexual violence, anonymous responses, and reporting concerns.
- Where
- Schools across France.
- When
- The questionnaire has been circulated on bullying since 2023; the expanded forms will be distributed in November.
- Why
- To help identify possible bullying and sexual violence and enable concerns to be reported to education authorities or the justice system.
Supporters of School Involvement
Supporters of Shared Responsibility and Safeguards
Schools’ role
Supporters of School Involvement
Supporters say schools should provide a safe place where children can discuss possible violence and should help report concerns.
Supporters of Shared Responsibility and Safeguards
Some parents say responsibility should be shared by schools, parents’ associations, local authorities, and other independent intermediaries.
Privacy and implementation
Supporters of School Involvement
The anonymous questionnaire could help children disclose concerns if they feel comfortable answering it.
Supporters of Shared Responsibility and Safeguards
Child-protection experts warn that students may not speak openly if classmates can see their answers or if they do not know where the forms will go.
Follow-up support
Supporters of School Involvement
Supporters see the survey as a way to identify cases that can be sent to education authorities or the justice system.
Supporters of Shared Responsibility and Safeguards
Experts say schools also need awareness programs and clear information showing children how and where to seek help.
Key facts
- Expected participants
- More than 10 million students from primary through secondary school.
- New subject
- Questions about sexual violence will be added to the existing bullying survey.
- Anonymous responses
- Students will be able to answer anonymously and report concerns.
- Distribution
- The expanded questionnaires will be distributed in November.
- Collection
- Teachers will collect the completed forms.
- Possible referrals
- Concerns may be reported to regional education authorities or referred to the justice system.
- Related school measure
- The French government has also banned mobile-phone use in primary and secondary schools.
Quotes
Laura Morin-Baudet
Head of the Paris-based child-protection NGO L’Enfant Bleu.
“It all depends on the conditions under which children answer these questions. If the child feels comfortable, has the feeling that their friend sitting next to them cannot necessarily see their answers, then perhaps, indeed, they will end up saying something”
theprint.in
“I think school has a role to play in providing support and in reporting possible violence, because school should be a sanctuary, a place where children can feel confident enough to talk about things that may be happening at home”
theprint.in
Sources
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