Former French Surgeon Accepts Responsibility for Victims' Deaths in Landmark Abuse Case

Joel Le Scouarnec, a 74-year-old former surgeon on trial for sexually abusing nearly 300 patients, has admitted to being responsible for the deaths of two victims, highlighting the extensive trauma caused by his actions during his lengthy court proceedings in France.

Joel Le Scouarnec, once a respected surgeon in France, has taken the stand in a harrowing trial where he has confessed to sexually abusing hundreds of his patients, many of whom were minors. He has publicly stated he feels "responsible" for the deaths of two of these individuals, whose tragic stories have come to light during the proceedings.

Photos of the victims, including Mathias Vinet—a young man who died by suicide in 2021—were shown in court. His grandparents have voiced their belief that Le Scouarnec's abuse contributed to Mathias's struggles, ultimately leading to his demise. Le Scouarnec, now 74, expressed remorse, stating, "I keep the memory of those two photos... They died, and I am responsible."

Beginning in February 2023, this trial has become one of the largest child abuse cases in French history, revealing the shocking extent of Le Scouarnec’s actions over a 25-year period. He has admitted to abusing 299 patients while they were under anesthesia or waking from surgery, with more than 250 victims being under the age of 15. His detailed personal diaries, which documented the assaults, enabled police to identify many victims who were previously unaware of the abuse.

As the court sessions progressed, numerous victims and their families shared testimonies detailing the severe psychological toll the abuse had taken on their lives, resulting in conditions such as anxiety, depression, and addiction. One victim expressed feeling 'destroyed' by the trauma, stating, "You got into my head, it's destroyed me."

Despite Le Scouarnec’s eventual admissions of guilt—he referred to his actions as "despicable"—victims and their advocates have criticized the lack of attention the trial has received from the media and politicians. A collective of victims expressed their frustration, stating that significant lessons have yet to be learned within both the medical community and society.

Le Scouarnec had previously faced a 15-year sentence for raping and sexually assaulting four children, including family members, and now faces an additional 20 years as the trial continues. A verdict is anticipated on May 28.