Former Surgeon Admits to Child Abuse in Historic French Trial

Wed Nov 05 2025 19:36:21 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

**Former Surgeon Admits to Child Abuse in Historic French Trial**

A former French surgeon, Joel Le Scouarnec, has confessed to committing "despicable acts" against hundreds of patients, primarily children, during a groundbreaking court case.

In an emotional address at the trial in Vannes, Le Scouarnec expressed remorse for the suffering caused to his alleged victims, acknowledging that the scars from his actions would last a lifetime. Accused of assaulting 299 patients, including very young children, the 74-year-old admitted to understanding the profound impact of his actions, stating that he would "never be able to go back." As this trial marks the largest child abuse case in French history, numerous individuals—including victims and their families—gathered to confront the devastation left in the wake of his alleged abuse that persisted for over 25 years.

Le Scouarnec, who has been incarcerated since 2017 after being convicted for abusing four children, detailed his past misdeeds in written records and faced a long list of charges stemming from abuse occurring across northern France. The trial, which has been described as unique due to the extensive number of victims, has revealed alarming systemic failures that allowed him to operate undetected for so long. Many advocates and relatives of the victims have since voiced their outrage, demanding accountability while addressing the emotional toll the events have taken on the survivors.

During court proceedings, legal representatives raised concerns regarding the response of medical authorities to earlier warnings about Le Scouarnec’s behavior. The trial is expected to continue for several months, with some sessions kept behind closed doors to protect the identities and experiences of the victims.