‘My paedophile letters’: French surgeon to stand trial accused of abusing 299 child patients
GuardianFEB 23
French Surgeon Admits to Decades of Child Abuse in Trial
Above: Retired surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec arrives for his trial at the Criminal Court in Vannes, France, on Feb. 25, 2025. Image copyright: Damien MEYER/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
Frenchman Joel Le Scouarnec, 74, a former gastrointestinal surgeon, is standing trial in Vannes, France, for allegedly raping or sexually assaulting 299 patients, primarily children, across ten hospitals between 1989 and 2014.
Le Scouarnec admitted to committing "hideous acts" on the trial's opening day, acknowledging responsibility for a "vast majority" of the charges, while maintaining that some acts did not constitute rape or sexual assault.
Police discovered evidence at Le Scouarnec's home in 2017, including 300K photos and videos depicting child abuse, a collection of life-sized dolls, and detailed diaries documenting his assaults, complete with victims' names, dates, and descriptions of the attacks.
The Spin
Narrative A
This trial, just like the one against Pelicot, could only happen thanks to the bravery of the victims. Le Scouarnec's heinous crimes continued despite having been convicted, exposing his colleagues as careless and indifferent. Le Scouarnec's victims, some of whom weren't aware of their abuse for decades, were kept in the dark thanks to doctors and hospitals turning a blind eye to a child predator.
Narrative B
This is not just about colleagues turning a blind eye. France faces a severe abuse crisis, including rampant incidents ignored by authorities. When credible allegations are brought to light, mothers protecting their kids are often punished. The issue is only getting worse as online child abuse grows in France — another disturbing trend for which the government lacks appropriate preventative measures.