Harassment in after-school facilities : a taboo ?

When we talk about bullying, we instinctively think of what happens in the playground, in the classroom, or on social media. Yet, there's one area that's often overlooked : after-school time. The cafeteria, daycare, evening or Wednesday activities... These transitional moments between home and school can also become places of suffering for some children. So why is it so rarely discussed ?

A less regulated environment, but no less important

After-school activities are neither quite school nor quite free time. They are often supervised by temporary or contract activity leaders, who do not always have the same training as teachers to identify and manage bullying situations.

Yet, the violence can be very real : mockery, isolation, threats, shoving... Some children experience repeated bullying amidst general indifference. Why ? Because bullying in after-school programs remains poorly recognized, poorly documented, and often minimized.

A silence with serious consequences

Too often, these incidents are trivialized : "It's just a game", "They're bickering", "It's part of group life". But this denial prevents victims from being protected. Children rarely dare to speak out about it, and when they do, they are not always taken seriously.

Worse still, some organizations prefer to remain silent for fear of damaging their image or sparking conflict. As a result, abused children are left alone with their pain, and the abusers continue unchallenged.

It's time to break the taboo

To combat this phenomenon, it is essential to :

• Train staff in bullying prevention and management.

• Implement clear protocols for reporting incidents.

• Promote listening to children and families.

• Create safe spaces for discussion, even outside of the school setting.

Every adult supervising a group of children has a role to play. Every report counts. Every word of support can change a trajectory.

A caring after-school program is possible

Bullying has no set schedule. It doesn't stop when class ends. It can be hidden in a game, a whispered insult in the cafeteria, or a contemptuous look in the playground at the evening reception. This is why every living space must be a space of respect, safety, and inclusion.

By breaking the silence around bullying in after-school activities, we are sending a strong message : no violence should be tolerated, whatever the context.