The incident of harassment involving more than 15 children during an extracurricular activity at a playground sparked widespread reactions, condemnation, and responses. The crime of harassment targeted children between the ages of 6 and 7, but the biggest problem is that the perpetrator is a 16-year-old minor who took advantage of the moment when the children were secured on the zip lines to commit his act.

This incident brings to the fore serious gaps in the monitoring system, not only within entertainment establishments, but also in schools’ preparedness and awareness of the risks associated with leaving children unsupervised during activities. Here, it must be emphasized that the primary responsibility lies with the educational institution, followed by the venue, without neglecting the legal responsibility of the young man, but also taking into account his status as a minor.

What Happened?

According to available information, the children were taken from the “SSCC Ain Najm to participate in an extracurricular activity without direct supervision from teachers, at a spot where a zip line had been set up between trees.

This lack of supervision allowed the minor to take advantage of the moment and molest the children, in the absence of surveillance cameras or any active human presence at the site.

The shock spread quickly after some parents filed reports with the Internal Security Forces(ISF), prompting the Ministry of Education to intervene. The school administration announced that it would take the necessary legal measures and provide psychological support.

Deep Gaps Require Radical Solutions

What happened cannot be considered an isolated incident, but rather a manifestation of a deeper crisis related to the absence of legal and regulatory controls in a sector that has become part of the daily lives of children in Lebanon, especially with the approach of summer. The response should not be limited to statements of condemnation, but requires coordinated action on several levels:

Level 1: Government

There must be a thorough review of Lebanon’s child protection law. Despite the importance of Law No. 422(2002), its implementation suffers from ambiguity in the definition of “risks” to which a child may be exposed, leaving it open to personal interpretation and the absence of objective criteria.

The most notable gap is that the system lacks a preventive approach, as interventions are often focused on responding after harm has been done, without addressing the root causes, particularly those related to the absence of safety standards and the provision of basic protection services. The system also suffers from weak coordination between the relevant official bodies: the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Interior. The role of the Ministry of Information in protecting the identities of child victims of harassment cannot be ignored, as is the case with juvenile perpetrators.

Level 2: Ministry of Education and Higher Education

The ministry should require schools to take strict measures during extracurricular activities, including the presence of qualified educational staff at every point of contact with children and the development of a national guide that sets safety standards and specifications for venues and supervisors.

It is essential to include an educational subject that addresses the prevention of violence and harassment from the primary school stage, with specialized training for teachers on how to recognize signs of abuse and deal with possible disclosures by children.

A zero-tolerance policy must be adopted towards any institution where violations against children are committed. Furthermore, institutions that pressure affected families under the pretext of protecting the institution or their religious affiliation, as happens in similar cases, must be held accountable.

Level 3: Parks and Recreational Centers

The employment of minors or individuals who do not have the minimum training in safe communication with children should be prohibited, especially in games that involve physical contact. Surveillance cameras should be installed in all sensitive areas, and staff should be trained in child protection policies, which should be publicly displayed in every institution.

Dealing with Victims and Juvenile Offenders

Every time a crime affecting children’s safety is committed, responsibilities are shifted between the relevant authorities, and there is a lack of awareness that protection is not an option but a necessity within an integrated system that begins with laws and is complemented by services and rapid response.

Condemnations or ad hoc measures are not enough. What is needed is a comprehensive national plan to study what happened, analyze the intersections, and clearly and transparently define responsibilities. This plan must be able to reassure parents, protect children, and prevent the tragedy from recurring.

It is also essential to protect the privacy of child victims and their families during investigations and prevent their names or images from being circulated in the media. Since the perpetrator is a minor, he must be dealt with within a legal framework that guarantees his best interests and provides him with a path to rehabilitation rather than demonization, within the framework of restorative justice, not punitive justice.

What happened at VeréBleu Park is a wake-up call for everyone concerned with children’s welfare. Remaining silent about today’s shortcomings means repeating tomorrow’s tragedies. We are faced with a collective responsibility that requires redefining the meaning of safety for children, not only in the classroom, but in every space that is supposed to be a place of joy, not a place of abuse.

On the other hand, violence cannot be met with more violence against minors. A reformist approach is needed to protect everyone and prevent the recurrence of crime, rather than simply punishing the perpetrators.