Four young girls will stand trial for robbery with violence after the filmed assault of a 14-year-old girl in Tours on Wednesday. The prosecutor announced that the girls will face charges within three months for their actions, including the dissemination of images related to the assault. A fifth girl, aged 11, will be taken care of by a juvenile judge. The assault, which is linked to the “happy slapping” phenomenon of filming physical violence, occurred in a park behind a school in Tours.
The victim was punched and kicked in the face and body, thrown to the ground, and beaten. Two of the assailants filmed the incident while participating in the violence, which was then shared on social media platforms. The motive for the assault was reportedly exchanges on Snapchat involving insults and threats of violence. The victim suffered facial trauma with a broken nose and seven days of temporary incapacity for work. The prosecutor described the motive as trivial, given the extreme violence displayed in the videos.
The girls involved in the assault will be under judicial control pending their trial, including restrictions on certain locations and contact with the victims. This incident is part of a series of recent violent events involving teenagers, such as the attack on a 13-year-old girl in Montpellier following online harassment and the death of a 15-year-old boy in Viry-Châtillon after being assaulted near his school. These cases highlight the growing issue of violence among young people facilitated by social media.
The assault in Tours serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of cyberbullying and peer pressure among teenagers. The prosecutor emphasized that this form of violence was both physical and psychological, with the victims facing long-term consequences. The use of social media to document and share such attacks further exacerbates the trauma experienced by the victims. Efforts are being made to address these issues through judicial measures and educational interventions for the perpetrators.
The judicial system is tasked with holding the young assailants accountable for their actions and providing support for the victims in these cases. The public reaction to these incidents underscores the need for greater awareness of the risks associated with online interactions and the importance of early intervention to prevent such acts of violence. By addressing the root causes of these behaviors and promoting positive social relationships among young people, communities can work towards creating a safer and more respectful environment for all individuals.
