2023-10-02 00:00:27
From our special correspondent in Saint-Paul-sur-Isère (Savoie)
“They said I was ugly and poorly dressed,” confides Gabriel*, looking down. A year after being harassed at his school, the teenager is still scarred. “The supervisors did not defend me. I couldn’t sleep well and sometimes I cried. » His parents decided to change his establishment and since the start of the school year, he has been studying in 5th grade at the Saint-Paul-sur-Isère (Savoie) college of the foundation Apprentices of Auteuil.
A new start for Gabriel, who feels safe in this new establishment, located near Albertville. Especially since this college has implemented the “Sentinels” system since 2020, which goes in the same direction as the interministerial plan to combat harassment unveiled by the government this Wednesday. The principle is simple: trained students identify situations of violence between young people. They approach the victim to offer sympathetic listening, make passive witnesses aware of their role and alert adult contacts (teachers, educators, supporting students with disabilities, etc.) of the situation, so that they can take charge. the attackers. “This prevents the “sentinels” from being treated as snitch. And it is not up to them to investigate or sanction,” explains Mickaël Gay, the educator in charge of this program at the college.
Many “sentinels” are formerly harassed
Since 2020, 42 students and 17 adults have been trained in the system. And since volunteers generally carry out this role for several years in a row, this year the college will have 28 “sentinels” and 14 referents. An important figure for this establishment of 150 students. Moreover, more and more students want to get involved. “This year, I received 15 applications from 6th grade students, although there were 30 in total,” says Mickaël Gay. The strong news on harassment at the start of the school year has undoubtedly boosted their desire to act. The students were chosen for their natural empathy and strong personality, because they must be able to resist group phenomena.
During a role play during the training of the new “Sentinels”, September 28, 2023. – D.Bancaud
Many of them are formerly harassed. Like Gabriel who decided to take on the role of “sentinels”. “I don’t want the same thing to happen to them as to me,” he explains. This week, he is taking training with ten other students. On the program: viewing a film on harassment, understanding the scapegoat phenomenon, the consequences of harassment, role plays, discussions on personal experiences… So that everyone understands their future mission and group cohesion is created .
“I like helping people”
At the end of the training, the students will receive a green bracelet which will allow their classmates to identify them in the courtyard. Paula*, who is one of the new “sentinels”, really wants to get started: “I like helping people. And I find it very unfair that children feel excluded. I already see dyslexic classmates being made fun of. I want to help them. » Julia*, who participates in the training, is also very inhabited by her subject: “At the moment I am reading Marion, 13 years old forever, by Nora Fraisse, who recounts the suicide of her daughter. And I’ve heard several cases like that on TV lately. It’s scary. »
This year, there will be “sentinels” at all levels, from 6th to 3rd. “It is important that they are different so that each victim can find a contact with whom they feel confident,” underlines Mickaël Gay. In addition to their role as watchdogs in class and in the courtyard, the “sentinels” will be on call every two weeks with a referent, to hear from students and will participate in a monthly group meeting.
A “dissuasive” device for potential attackers
Rebecca*, a 3rd grade student, who was already a “sentinel” last year, already knows that she will have work: “We hear a lot of insults, remarks about the physique, the clothes and sometimes even the color of skin of a student… Including on the school bus. And some students are isolated. » In these cases, Rebecca intervenes with the victims and warns the representatives who will manage the perpetrators. A role rather well accepted by his comrades. “I don’t feel like they’re running away from me because they’re afraid of me. And I think I’m useful because I act quickly, before situations become really serious,” she comments.
The future “Sentinels” in full training. – D. Bancaud
An opinion shared by Cécile Vibert, the deputy director of the college: “We could no longer do without our “sentinels”. They allow us to take care of students who are victims of violence more quickly, to warn families quickly and to stop bad behavior. » Because like any establishment, the college has experienced painful episodes: in recent years, two students have been targeted by classmates. Serious but rare situations which have generated sanctions and support for victims.
Even if the “Sentinels” system is not the cure for everything, it “is a deterrent for potential attackers and it reassures parents”, underlines Cécile Vibert. As you stroll through the corridors or in the refectory, you can feel this peaceful climate. “Just look at the playground at the beginning and end of the year. The number of troubled students is decreasing considerably,” notes Mickaël Gay.
Apart from the school climate, the benefits of the system are also felt by the “sentinel” students. “It will help me in high school. If someone insults me or bothers me, I will know how to respond and if necessary, I will not hesitate to tell an adult,” assures Rebecca.
* All first names have been changed.
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