A former surgeon is currently on trial in Vannes, France, facing charges of rape and sexual abuse involving 299 victims, the majority of whom were children under his care. The accused, Joël Le Scouarnec, admitted to committing what he described as 'odious acts' during the court proceedings.
Le Scouarnec, now 74 years old, could face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty. This trial follows a previous conviction in 2020 for rape and sexual assault of children, for which he is already serving a 15-year sentence.
The case against Le Scouarnec began in 2017 when a 6-year-old neighbor reported inappropriate touching by the doctor. Subsequent investigations uncovered a trove of disturbing evidence, including over 300,000 photos, 650 pedophilic, zoophilic, and scatological video files, as well as notebooks detailing his actions and self-identification as a pedophile.
The ongoing trial focuses on alleged crimes committed between 1989 and 2014, involving 158 men and 141 women who were on average 11 years old at the time of the abuse. Victims have recounted harrowing experiences of being assaulted while under the care of the doctor, with some only discovering the extent of the abuse years later.
Survivors and activists are calling for an end to the silence and impunity surrounding sexual abuse in France. The trial of Le Scouarnec comes at a time when efforts are being made to dismantle taboos and seek justice for victims of such heinous crimes.
Child protection groups have joined the legal proceedings as civil parties, aiming to strengthen the legal framework to prevent future instances of abuse. The trial is expected to continue for several months as the court examines the extensive evidence and testimonies presented against the accused former surgeon.
