the parents of the high school student say they are “outraged and frightened” by the letter from the rectorate

“We were outraged and appalled to receive such letters.” The parents of Nicolas, the teenager who committed suicide at the start of the school year in Poissy (Yvelines), denounced the letters from the administration on Monday September 18. While they had complained about the harassment suffered by their son, the rectorate had criticized their attitude “unacceptable” and mentioned the criminal risks of inaccurate reporting.

>> What we know about the suicide in Poissy of a 15-year-old teenager who had reported “acts of harassment” at school

Béatrice, the mother, told AFP that she had not yet decided whether she was going to file a complaint. “Before making this decision, we are awaiting the results of the investigations and the actions that will be taken by the government”she explained.

Parents don’t know if the harassers were punished

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne described “shocking” the tone of the missive. “This letter is a shame, a shame”, for his part declared Gabriel Attal, who ordered an administrative investigation. For the teenager’s mother, these official reactions showed that finally, their “son was recognized in his suffering and harassment”. Nicolas committed suicide on September 5, upon returning to a new establishment.

In mid-October, Nicolas’ parents realized that their son was being harassed and alerted the teaching team. In mid-March, they learned from his psychologist that their son attempted suicide in January. “It was at that moment that we put everything in motion to help our son, handrail, meeting with the principal, exchange of letters, etc.”, she listed. After a first meeting with the teaching team, the parents sent another letter to the principal, and only received letters warning them in response. “We still do not know if a sanction, even symbolic, was issued against the harassers”she lamented.