VANNES, France — The trial of retired surgeon Joël Le Scouarnec, accused of sexually assaulting or raping 299 patients, has drawn significant public attention, reflecting the horrors of his alleged crimes and the family dynamics surrounding them. The court proceedings commenced on February 24, 2025, at the Morbihan Criminal Court, where Le Scouarnec has been facing accusations related to acts committed over nearly three decades.
At 74 years old, Le Scouarnec stands before the court accused of heinous acts against 299 individuals, the majority of whom were minors at the time of their assaults. Prosecutors reveal the shocking detail: 256 of his alleged victims were under the age of 15, with the youngest just one year old. Many children reportedly suffered these assaults during medical procedures, either under anesthesia or during post-op checks.
During the trial, his ex-wife, Marie-France Lhermitte, testified for more than five hours, adamantly denying any knowledge of her husband's criminal activities. "I never had any doubts about my husband," Lhermitte stated emphatically, expressing disbelief at the allegations against him. Her testimony, which drew deep scrutiny, included the harsh accusation against her own relatives, whom she labeled as "liars" — particularly one niece, whom she described as "devious" and having perpetuated the narrative against her husband.
Le Scouarnec's brother, Patrick, testified against Marie-France, claiming she knew about the abuse but did nothing due to her attachment to his financial status. "She could have made sure my brother was arrested," Patrick stated, reflecting his frustration and anger toward the family's loyalty to Le Scouarnec. Throughout the testimonies, Patrick exhibited no love for his brother, asserting, "It would be good for society" if Joël remained imprisoned for life.
Le Scouarnec's legal history is troubling. He was previously convicted and sentenced to 15 years for abusing four children, including two of his nieces. Despite his criminal background, he practiced as a surgeon until years later when the complaints surfaced, culminating in his arrest. Critics have highlighted systemic failures within the French medical and legal systems for allowing him to operate undeterred even after being convicted of offenses related to child pornography back in 2005, for which he received just a suspended sentence.
His case has reignited national outrage, especially following other high-profile cases reflecting deep-rooted issues within the justice system concerning child abuse. Prosecutor Stéphane Kellenberger emphasized the necessity of confronting the harsh realities of such survivors. Throughout this trial, victim testimonies are coming to light, stirring emotions as they detail their experiences.
Indeed, at one point during the court proceedings, Marie-France faced questions about whether she had ever seen the child-sized sex dolls or diaries kept by Joël, which documented his offenses. Marie-France stated, "I never saw things like this. Nothing would have led me to suspect anything..." Her comments were often met with incredulity, especially when she insisted she believed the family members who accused him were fabrications driven by resentment or malice.
Le Scouarnec, addressing the court, acknowledged the gravity of his crimes, pleading for forgiveness from Marie-France and implicitly stating, "You loved me, and I betrayed your love," indicating his awareness of the pain inflicted upon his family and victims alike. The emotional revelations surrounding this case echo beyond the courtroom, affecting societal views on handling accusations of sexual violence and healing within families torn apart by such heinous acts.
Trials of this nature, involving survivors who have borne great trauma, challenge not just the accused but also the community’s sensitivity toward systemic failures surrounding cases of child abuse.
The court has yet to reach its verdict, with proceedings expected to last until June. Many are hopeful it will not only hold the accused accountable but also address the larger conversations about protecting the vulnerable and recognizing signs of abuse across professions.
A sense of urgency lingers as the trial sheds light on the long-overdue reckoning with these pressing issues, leaving victims and society questioning how such horrors went unaddressed for so long.