"French Surgeon Admits Guilt in Devastating Child Abuse Trial"

"In a harrowing trial, French surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec has confessed to sexually abusing hundreds of patients, primarily minors, and expressed feeling 'responsible' for the deaths of two victims. His revelations and admissions have brought to light the horrific consequences of decades-long abuse, while questioning the systemic failures that allowed it to continue."

In Vannes, Brittany, a former respected surgeon, Joel Le Scouarnec, has made chilling admissions during his ongoing trial regarding his extensive history of sexual abuse against predominantly underage patients. As evidence emerged showing the devastating impact of his actions, Le Scouarnec, now 74, stated he feels "responsible" for the tragic outcomes stemming from his abuse, specifically noting the suicides of two victims.

Among them was Mathias Vinet, who succumbed to addiction issues before taking his life in 2021. His family blames Le Scouarnec for the psychological trauma inflicted on him as a child. "I keep the memory of those two photos," Le Scouarnec told the court. The surgeries he performed between 1989 and 2014 saw him abusing patients, often while they were incapacitated by anaesthesia, with Le Scouarnec admitting to violating nearly 300 victims, over 250 of whom were under 15.

Evidence showcased during the trial, which began in February, included Le Scouarnec's meticulous diaries, documenting his sexual assaults, enabling police to identify numerous victims. Many of these individuals were unaware of the abuse they experienced until their names were discovered among Le Scouarnec's notes.

Confronted by dozens of his victims, the emotional toll of the harassment and trauma was evident, with some expressing struggles such as eating disorders and debilitating anxiety as a direct consequence of their experiences. One victim poignantly stated, "You got into my head, it's destroyed me," while another recounted feeling a profound sense of loss, claiming, "He stole my youth."

Le Scouarnec apologized repeatedly throughout the proceedings, denouncing his actions as "revolting." His client, Romane Codou, representing a number of victims, remarked that his confession had provided a sense of closure for many, allowing them to move past the anguish tied to Le Scouarnec's presence.

While the courtroom drama continued, questions were raised regarding institutional failings that permitted Le Scouarnec to maintain his medical practice, despite alerts from the FBI in the early 2000s related to his access to child abuse material online. The National Order of Doctors (Cnom), which has filed a legal action against him, expressed remorse for their oversight, recognizing the need for better communication within the medical community.

Despite being labeled the largest child abuse trial in French history, it has drawn surprisingly little media attention, unsettling the collective of Le Scouarnec's victims. They maintained that no lessons have been taken from this horrific ordeal, expressing disappointment with the lack of engagement from both political and medical stakeholders.

Having previously been sentenced to 15 years for abusing four children, including two of his own nieces, Le Scouarnec now faces an impending 20-year sentence. A verdict in his current trial is anticipated on May 28.