Monaco launches new anti-bullying hotline for victims and witnesses

A new hotline service, reachable 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is now operational in Monaco, as the government takes a major step to end bullying in schools.

Late last year, Minister of the Interior Patrice Cellario revealed that an anti-bullying hotline was in the making and that it would likely be launched after the Christmas holidays.

On Monday 15th January, the government confirmed in a press statement that the hotline was now up and running.

It means that students who are being harassed at school can call 98 98 96 96, at any time or day, and report all forms of violence in schools, from physical violence and intimidation, to threats and online harassment.

Even witnesses, parents and school staff can use the hotline to report incidences of concern.

A team of professionals from the Department of National Education, Youth and Sports and the Association for Assistance to Victims of Criminal Offenses will support callers “so that all measures can be taken to support the victim, as well as all measures intended to put an end to the situation in question”, says the government.

The hotline compliments a law which came into effect in September 2022 that allows educators to deal with harassment or bullying, and also allows for an “appropriate and dissuasive criminal response” if this method does not produce results.

For more information on the hotline service, click here.

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