A court in France has handed down a 20-year prison sentence to retired
surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec, 74, after he was convicted of the rape and
sexual abuse of almost 300 victims. The abuse occurred over a 25-year
period, with many victims being children who were under anaesthesia.

The case, which concluded Wednesday in a Brittany court, is considered one
of the most egregious instances of child abuse to ever go to trial in
modern France.

The verdict follows the conviction of 51 men involved in the decade-long
mass rape of Gisele Pelicot in southern France. Advocates had hoped that
case would mark a turning point for survivors seeking justice.

Throughout his trial, Joel Le Scouarnec admitted to the rape or sexual
assault of 299 patients, including 256 who were under the age of 15. the
crimes took place while he was working in hospitals in western France.

The assaults occurred between 1989 and 2014, frequently enough while patients were
anaesthetized or recovering from operations. le Scouarnec faced 111 rape
charges and 189 sexual assault charges. The trial commenced in February.

During the proceedings, Joel Le Scouarnec described his actions as “despicable acts.”

“I owe it to all these people and their loved ones to admit my actions and
their consequences, which they’ve endured and will keep having to endure
all their lives,” he stated.

Victims Voice Outrage

Victims, lawyers, and advocates present at the courthouse during the trial
and verdict expressed skepticism regarding Joel Le Scouarnec’s expressions
of remorse.

“You are the worst mass paedophile who ever lived,”

Thomas Delaby, representing the victims, called Joel Le Scouarnec “an atomic
bomb of paedophilia” and told him that the victims “will never forgive you,
never”.

Joel Le Scouarnec was previously convicted in 2020 for the rape and sexual
assault of four children, including two nieces, and was already serving a
15-year sentence.

The 20-year sentence is the maximum possible under french law, where
sentences are not served consecutively. Prosecutors noted that in the
United States, Joel le Scouarnec would have faced a sentence of “2,000
years.”

Public Health System Under Scrutiny

The case has ignited concerns about France’s public health system and how
Joel Le scouarnec was able to continue his abuse for so long.

Advocates are questioning why he was allowed to work in public hospitals
after a 2005 conviction for downloading child sexual abuse images, which
resulted in a suspended jail sentence.

The full extent of Joel Le Scouarnec’s crimes came to light after his
rearrest in 2017 for allegedly raping his 6-year-old neighbor. Police
discovered electronic diaries detailing decades of abuse.

In his notes, the doctor described himself as a “major pervert” and a “paedophile”.

“And I am very happy about it,” he wrote.

The verdict coincides with growing calls for accountability regarding
sexual abuse in France and a re-evaluation of social norms that may enable
such crimes.

In December, a court in Avignon convicted 51 men for the prolonged rape
and sexual abuse of Gisele Pelicot, who chose to speak publicly about her
ordeal.

“I’ve decided not to be ashamed,I’ve done nothing wrong,” she testified.
“They are the ones who must be ashamed.”

Among those convicted was Gisele Pelicot’s ex-husband, 72-year-old
Dominique pelicot, who was accused of orchestrating the drugging and raping
of his wife for nearly a decade.