In a shocking courtroom admission, former French surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec has confessed to sexually abusing numerous patients, asserting his "responsibility" for the deaths of two victims who allegedly took their own lives after suffering from the trauma of their experiences. During the ongoing trial in Vannes, Brittany, emotional testimonials revealed the lasting effects of his actions on many victims, who were predominantly minors at the time of abuse.
As part of the trial proceedings, photographs of the two deceased individuals, one identified as Mathias Vinet, were presented. Vinet's grandparents publically criticized Le Scouarnec, blaming him for their grandson's struggles with addiction and eventual death in 2021. In response to the presented evidence, Le Scouarnec stated, “They died, and I am responsible.”
The 74-year-old's trial began in late February and unfolded over weeks, during which he acknowledged to having sexually assaulted all 299 victims listed in his detailed diaries, with over 250 of them being under 15 years old. During a prior closed-door session, he admitted the individuals in his logs represented potential victims of his vile acts.
Le Scouarnec, who once held a respected position in the medical field, has faced numerous testimonies from victims describing how the abuse not only changed their lives but left them grappling with severe psychological issues like anxiety, eating disorders, and depression. One victim remarked on the mental anguish caused by his actions, stating, “You got into my head, it’s destroyed me.”
Furthermore, the trial has illuminated serious systemic failures that allowed Le Scouarnec to operate despite prior alerts regarding his access to child abuse materials. Advocacy groups have expressed frustration over the lack of attention and action taken by medical and political bodies to prevent his continuing practice.
Despite being currently imprisoned for earlier convictions of raping and sexually assaulting minors, Le Scouarnec now faces an additional sentence of 20 years. The upcoming verdict is anticipated on May 28, raising concerns about the societal and political response to one of the largest child abuse trials in French history.
