A former French surgeon is currently undergoing trial on serious charges, including raping or sexually assaulting almost 300 patients, predominantly children. Joel Le Scouarnec, at 74 years of age, is already serving time after being previously convicted for abusing four children, two of them his own nieces. This latest trial, which started on Monday, shines light on horrific allegations of misconduct spanning from 1989 to 2014.
The accusations against Le Scouarnec are particularly disturbing; they allege he assaulted or raped 299 patients, many of whom were either waking up from anesthesia or were being examined post-operatively. Among his alleged victims, 256 were children under the age of 15, with the youngest just one year old, and the oldest being 70.
Le Scouarnec's trial is taking place in the city of Vannes, located in the western region of Brittany, and is expected to last four months. While proceedings are open to the public, seven days of testimony from minor victims will be conducted behind closed doors for their protection. If found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in prison; French law, unfortunately, does not permit the aggregation of sentences even for multiple victims.
This case of Le Scouarnec is undeniably one of the largest of its kind in France, as noted by Le Figaro, which cited its magnitude saying, “This is undoubtedly the biggest case of child sex crime in France, or at least the case involving the most victims sexually assaulted or raped by a single man.” This trial follows closely on the heels of another troubling case involving Dominique Pelicot, who was recently convicted of orchestrated sexual violence against his wife, highlighting serious abuses within the healthcare system.
Le Scouarnec’s pattern of conduct and the response of authorities raise alarming questions about the systemic failures to prevent his continued practice as a surgeon, even after prior warnings. Notably, he was practicing medicine for decades after receiving a 2005 conviction for owning images of child sexual abuse, which had made their way to light after the FBI alerted French authorities. Despite this, he only received a suspended four-month jail sentence and maintained his medical career, moving across various cities without any significant legal oversight.
After retiring, serious allegations against him came to light after a six-year-old girl made accusations of abuse against him, leading law enforcement to investigate. Tragically, this led police to discover documented accounts of his assaults within his diaries, where he recorded details about each victim, including names, ages, and the nature of the abuse. His notes even included chilling admissions such as identifying himself as a “major pervert” and noting, “And I am very happy about it.”
Frederic Benoist, representing the advocacy group La Voix de l’Enfant (The Child's Voice), noted the colossal systemic failures: “The fact Le Scouarnec was never barred from practicing was the result of ‘collective failure.’” This sentiment resonates with many advocates who are calling for greater accountability within the health sector, especially concerning how such offenders are handled. A separate investigation has been initiated by regional prosecutors to examine these failures, though it currently does not target any individuals or institutions.
Over 260 journalists from more than 60 media outlets have been accredited to cover this monumental trial, which many see as pivotal for victim advocacy and child rights advocacy groups across the nation. Despite the awfulness of the case, the focus is now on what it will mean for potential reforms and how society reacts to such harrowing revelations.
While this has been both painful and alarming, the hopeful outcomes from the trial may point toward stronger protections for victims and mitigating circumstances preventing others from suffering similar fates. The trial continues, with great interest and scrutiny as the verdict approaches, expected around early June.