In a case described as one of the most significant in French legal history, a court in southwest France is expected to deliver its verdict this week in a sweeping child sex abuse trial involving 299 victims and a former medical professional accused of decades-long predatory behavior.
The trial centers around Joel Le Scouarnec, a now-retired surgeon who has been accused of abusing children over a span of nearly 30 years across multiple regions in France. Le Scouarnec, who is already serving a prison sentence from a previous conviction, now faces charges in a case that has shaken public trust in institutions meant to protect the vulnerable and prompted widespread calls for systemic reform.
Investigators say Le Scouarnec, now in his early 70s, exploited his position of authority to abuse children in hospitals, private residences, and other care facilities between the 1980s and early 2000s. Many of the victims were patients or relatives of patients, some as young as four years old. The scale and detail of the case only came to light in recent years after diaries and personal records allegedly documenting hundreds of assaults were uncovered during a police search.
The trial, which began earlier this year, has featured harrowing testimonies from survivors and families, many of whom lived for decades without knowing that their trauma was shared by so many others. The prosecution presented the case as one of systemic failure—not only of individual criminal acts, but of an institutional blind spot that allowed a predator to operate unchecked for decades.
Le Scouarnec has admitted to some of the accusations but has also denied others, claiming memory lapses or psychological instability. His defense lawyers argued that while he should be held accountable for proven crimes, the volume of accusations may have created a prejudicial atmosphere.
Survivors and advocacy groups have called for justice and recognition, emphasizing the importance of this case not only for its unprecedented scale but for its role in breaking long-standing silence around abuse in professional settings.
“This is not just about one man—it’s about how a system failed hundreds of children,” said Catherine Bonnet, a child psychiatrist and long-time advocate for abuse survivors. “This verdict must mark a turning point in how France confronts institutional abuse.”
The court’s decision will be closely watched by the public, legal experts, and international observers, many of whom view it as a watershed moment for victims’ rights and the prosecution of historic abuse cases.
If convicted on all charges, Le Scouarnec could face a life sentence. Beyond the legal implications, the case has already sparked internal reviews at several hospitals and is expected to lead to new regulations on background checks, reporting mechanisms, and safeguarding procedures in French healthcare institutions.
Swifteradio.com
