A retired French surgeon, Joel Le Scouarnec, 74, is facing trial for the rape and sexual assault of 299 victims, most of whom were children under his medical care. The case, described as the worst instance of child abuse ever tried in France, has raised serious concerns about the country’s healthcare system and its failure to prevent such crimes.
Le Scouarnec, already serving a 15-year sentence for previous convictions of child rape and sexual assault, could face up to 20 additional years in prison if found guilty. The trial, which began in Vannes, western France, is expected to last four months and includes testimony from hundreds of victims.
Surgeon’s Admission
At the opening of his trial, Le Scouarnec admitted to his crimes, telling the court, “I have committed despicable acts… I am aware that the harm I have caused is beyond repair.” He further stated, “I cannot go back in time, but I owe it to all these people and their loved ones to take responsibility for my actions.”
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However, he also attempted to differentiate between cases, claiming he did not consider himself guilty in some instances. His defense lawyer, Maxime Tissier, said that Le Scouarnec admitted to the “vast majority” of charges but would explain his perspective in court.
A Hidden Predator for Decades
Le Scouarnec’s crimes spanned 25 years, from 1989 to 2014, during which he worked in several hospitals across France. Many victims were unconscious under anesthesia or recovering from surgeries, leaving them with no memory of the abuse. It was only through police investigations that many learned their names were recorded in the surgeon’s personal diaries.
The case first came to light in 2017 when Le Scouarnec was arrested for sexually abusing his six-year-old neighbor. A subsequent search of his home uncovered hundreds of notebooks detailing his attacks on young patients, along with 300,000 indecent images and videos of children, child-sized dolls, wigs, and chains.
In 2020, he was convicted of raping and sexually assaulting four children—his young neighbor, two of his nieces, and a four-year-old patient—and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The new trial expands the case to hundreds of additional victims.
Systemic Failures and Ignored Warnings
The case has sparked outrage over systemic failures that allowed Le Scouarnec to continue working with children despite previous warnings and convictions. In 2005, he was found guilty of possessing child pornography and sentenced to a four-month suspended sentence. Despite this, he was hired as a surgeon at a public hospital in Quimperlé in 2006.
Shortly after his hiring, a psychiatrist at the hospital raised concerns about his behavior, but no action was taken. Later, when a colleague reported Le Scouarnec’s sexually suggestive comments about a young patient, the regional medical association reviewed his record. Shockingly, all but one doctor voted that he had not violated the medical code of ethics.
Authorities failed to act even after the FBI warned French officials in 2005 that Le Scouarnec had accessed child abuse websites. Instead of being barred from working with children, he was allowed to continue practicing as a surgeon for another decade.
Local prosecutor Stéphane Kellenberger has now opened a separate investigation into whether public bodies or individuals could be held criminally liable for enabling the abuse. Victims’ rights groups have strongly criticized the medical system, with child protection lawyer Frédéric Benoist calling the failures “a huge degree of dysfunction” that allowed the surgeon’s crimes to continue unchecked.
Victims Speak Out
The youngest of Le Scouarnec’s alleged victims was just one year old, while the oldest was 70. Many victims were unaware they had been abused until police informed them that their names appeared in his diaries.
Francois, a plaintiff in the case who was 12 when Le Scouarnec allegedly abused him, said he felt betrayed by authorities. “Why did nobody stop this surgeon from working with children?” he asked.
Some victims have spoken about the lifelong trauma they suffered. Mauricette Vinet, the grandmother of a former patient who died by suicide, believes Le Scouarnec was responsible for his death. “If he hadn’t happened, Mathis would still be here,” she said.
A Trial of Historic Significance
The trial has drawn immense public attention, with protesters gathering outside the courthouse holding signs reading “Stop the code of silence” and “Who knew?” Many victims and advocacy groups argue that the case highlights deep-rooted failures in France’s medical and judicial systems.
Due to the sheer number of plaintiffs, the courtroom has been split, with victims following proceedings from an overflow room. Emotional support psychologists and therapy dogs have been provided to assist them throughout the trial.
Some sessions will be held behind closed doors at the request of the plaintiffs, but large portions will be open to the public and journalists. Le Scouarnec’s ex-wife and siblings are also expected to testify.
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As France confronts this unprecedented case, victims’ lawyers say they hope for justice, but remain critical of the legal system’s failure to impose harsher penalties. “In France, whether you rape one child or 300, it’s the same sentence,” said Marie Grimaud, a lawyer representing some of the victims. “My clients are only hoping to find some dignity, humanity, and consideration from the justice system.” The trial is set to conclude in June, but its impact on France’s medical and legal institutions may be felt for years to come.