Trial Begins for Teacher Accused of Harassment Linked to Student's Suicide

The case examines the role of a French teacher in alleged bullying that preceded the 2019 suicide of 11-year-old Evaëlle, sparking scrutiny of institutional responses to school harassment.

Evaëlle, an 11-year-old student, died by suicide in June 2019 after enduring months of alleged harassment from classmates and her French teacher, Pascale B.
The trial, which began on March 10, 2025, in Pontoise, seeks to determine Pascale B.'s culpability in harassment charges, including allegations involving two other students.
Witnesses presented conflicting views of the teacher, with some describing her as strict and authoritarian, while others highlighted her professionalism and care for students.
The court heard accounts of incidents where Evaëlle was publicly humiliated in class, which her parents argue contributed to her isolation and distress.
The case has raised broader concerns about the failure of school administrators to adequately address harassment and provide timely intervention.