The investigation by the ministry of education confirms the bullying suffered by lucas before his suicide

Lucas, 13 years old, took his own life in january 2023 in Golbey (Vosges), leaving behind a note expressing his desire to end his life. An administrative investigation conducted by the ministry of education concludes that he was a victim of bullying by other students, both within his school and on social networks. These findings, revealed on tuesday december 17 by the ministry to AFP, confirm information initially reported by Paris Match.

This investigation was announced by Pap Ndiaye, then minister of education, following the national outcry caused by this tragedy. Nearly two years after the events, the report has not been made public, but it formally establishes the reality of the bullying. However, no details have been provided by the ministry concerning the homophobic nature of the taunts and insults reported by the adolescent’s relatives.

A parallel judicial investigation
The case has been submitted to the judiciary, as Lucas’s family has decided to file an appeal to the court of cassation following a controversial legal process. Four students from the school had been prosecuted for “bullying leading to suicide” but were acquitted on appeal after being convicted in the first instance. The judiciary did not establish a direct link between the bullying suffered by Lucas and his decision to end his life.

The ministry of education, in its report, did not attempt to determine this correlation either, considering that such a task falls within the remit of the judiciary.

Reaction from the family
Catherine Faivre, the family’s lawyer, responded to these findings: “This confirms a situation we already knew about but that was not recognized as a criminal offense of bullying. What happens next depends on the judicial process and the responsibilities that will be established.”

This tragedy, beyond its devastating impact on Lucas’s relatives, continues to fuel debates about addressing school bullying and implementing effective measures to protect vulnerable students.