In what has become a shocking revelation, France finds itself in the midst of its largest child abuse scandal to date. The trial currently unfolding in Morbihan, Brittany, has brought to light a staggering account of 299 alleged victims who were sexually abused over a period of 25 years in 10 hospitals and clinics – all reportedly by a single doctor.
Retired gastrointestinal surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec stands accused of decades of abuse, with court documents detailing disturbing accounts of sexual assault committed from 1986 to 2014. Despite previous convictions for child abuse-related offenses, Le Scouarnec continued to work in both private and public institutions, where he allegedly abused patients ranging from toddlers to young adults.
As the trial progresses, it has drawn national attention, sparking conversations about the prevalence of child abuse in France and the need for accountability within institutions that may have enabled such crimes. The trial is expected to last four months and has already become a focal point in the ongoing battle to break the silence surrounding sexual abuse.
The courtroom in Vannes has been transformed to accommodate the high number of participants, including alleged victims, their families, legal representatives, and the media. This trial comes in the wake of a recent mass rape and drugging case that shook the nation, further highlighting the urgent need to address and confront instances of abuse.
The hope is that by shedding light on this dark chapter, France will begin a process of healing and reflection, ensuring that survivors are given a voice and that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
Francesca Satta, a lawyer representing several accusers in his recent abuse trial, described Joël Le Scouarnec as devoid of empathy and viewing children solely as sexual objects. Delphine Driguez, another lawyer who represented survivors in his 2020 trial, echoed this sentiment, describing him as cold and deliberate.
Satta highlighted that Le Scouarnec’s professional status as a middle-class surgeon likely allowed him to evade suspicion for an extended period. She mentioned that during the trial, the true nature of the accused was revealed to all present, especially when confronting evidence such as images from his computer.
Le Scouarnec was convicted in 2020 for abusing his nieces and a neighbor outside a hospital. Despite concerns raised by at least three doctors prior to his conviction, including a psychiatrist who urged him to resign due to his dangerous nature, Le Scouarnec remained unrepentant.
The heart of the latest case lies in Le Scouarnec’s diaries, which prosecutors claim document actual instances of child abuse. His attorney argues that these writings reflect fantasies rather than actions. The journals, meticulously detailed with timestamps and locations of the assaults, have helped identify numerous victims.
The entries in the diaries depict disturbing scenes of abuse disguised as medical exams, with a disturbingly intimate tone addressing the children by name. Le Scouarnec’s lawyers have maintained that he is not speaking to the press prior to the trial, but have previously dismissed the diaries as fantasies.
For the survivors of Le Scouarnec’s alleged abuse, the aftermath has been marked by enduring trauma. Despite many victims being sedated during the assaults, psychological analyses detailed in court documents reveal lasting emotional and psychological scars impacting their later relationships and self-esteem.
Photographs of their grandson, Mathis, who was a victim of Le Scouarnec at the age of 10, were displayed by a couple in Saint-Germain, located in western France, on February 3, 2025. Tragically, Mathis passed away from an overdose in 2021. Guillaume Souvant/AFP/Getty Images captured the heartbreaking moment.
“We have victims who are experiencing real, profound suffering. There are individuals battling anorexia, depression, infertility, and sexual dysfunction within their relationships. These are all issues marked as anomalies by their doctors, leaving them questioning, ‘How is this even possible?'” expressed lawyer Satta. Among her clients are two families whose loved ones were reportedly abused by Le Scouarnec and later succumbed to suicide.
Due to the extensive history of abuse attributed to Le Scouarnec, some of the survivors’ testimonies are no longer admissible in court. The statute of limitations in France restricts the prosecution of rape cases to within 30 years of the victim reaching adulthood. Regrettably, approximately 80 individuals were excluded from the case as a result, as noted by Satta.
As the wheels of justice turn, a lingering question looms over the entire case: How was this man seemingly able to victimize numerous young people for such an extended period? CNN has reached out to the hospitals where the alleged crimes took place and the French health authorities for their comments on the matter.
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