Decades of Deceit: How a trusted doctor became a child abuser

SHAH ALAM - In what is being described as France’s largest-ever child sex abuse trial, former surgeon Joël Le Scouarnec faces charges of sexually assaulting 299 victims, most of whom were children under his medical care.

The trial, set to run today for four months in Vannes, Brittany, has unearthed not only the horrifying details of his crimes but also the systemic failures that allowed his abuse to continue unchecked for decades.

As survivors prepare to testify, the case has become a pivotal moment for France, sparking calls for sweeping reforms in how the justice and healthcare systems address sexual violence.

The Crimes: A Surgeon’s Dark Double Life

Le Scouarnec, now 74, stands accused of raping and sexually abusing hundreds of children, many of whom were his patients. The abuse spanned from 1989 to 2014, with victims averaging just 11 years old at the time of the assaults.

His crimes came to light in 2017 after a six-year-old neighbour reported that he had molested her over a garden fence.

This led to a police raid on his home, where investigators uncovered a trove of incriminating evidence: over 300,000 photographs, 650 pedophilic video files and meticulously detailed journals documenting his abuse.

In these journals, Le Scouarnec described himself as a “proud pedophile” and recorded the names, ages and specific details of his victims. He often targeted children who were alone in hospital rooms, disguising his assaults as medical procedures.

Many victims were unconscious during surgeries and only became aware of the abuse years later when police contacted them after finding their names in his notebooks.

The Survivors: Lifelong Trauma and a Quest for Justice

For many survivors, the trial represents a long-awaited opportunity for closure. Amélie Lévêque, now 42, was just nine years old when Le Scouarnec operated on her.

She recalled feeling uneasy about the surgeon but only connected the dots decades later when she saw a news report about his arrest.

Amelie Leveque, 42, who was operated on by the former surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec when she was 9, poses in a garden after she agreed to speak openly, in Loches, central France on February 18, 2025. (Photo by GUILLAUME SOUVANT / AFP)

“Immediately I knew, voilà, that is what happened to me. This explained so many strange things in my life, like my phobia of hospitals, my eating disorders. A life suspended since my operation,” she told AFP.

Other survivors have described similar lifelong struggles, including anxiety, depression and substance abuse. Tragically, two young men who were allegedly abused by Le Scouarnec died by suicide in 2020 and 2021. Their deaths highlight the profound and lasting impact of his crimes.

Systemic Failures: How Abuse Went Unchecked

Le Scouarnec’s ability to evade justice for so long has raised serious questions about systemic failures within France’s medical and legal systems. In 2005, he was convicted for possessing child pornography but received only a four-month suspended sentence.

Despite this, he was promoted to a hospital practitioner the following year, as his criminal record was not included in a background check requested by the Health Ministry.

Even when health authorities eventually learned of his past, no disciplinary action was taken. At one hospital, a psychiatrist alerted the director about Le Scouarnec’s conviction, but the order to monitor him around minors was never enforced.

This pattern of negligence allowed him to continue abusing patients for years.

The Trial: A Reckoning for Victims and Institutions

The trial, which began on Feb 24, is expected to last four months and will hear testimony from hundreds of victims. Prosecutors have compiled a 745-page indictment detailing the extent of Le Scouarnec’s crimes.

Survivors hope the trial will not only deliver justice but also expose the institutional complicity that allowed his abuse to persist.

“This is about accountability. It is about calling those who failed us to answer for their complicity or negligence,” Lévêque said.

Le Scouarnec’s defence has been inconsistent. While he has admitted to some charges, he has dismissed parts of his journals as “fantasies.” However, the sheer volume of evidence against him makes this claim difficult to sustain.

Calls for Reform: A Turning Point for France

The trial has triggered a broader conversation about how France handles cases of sexual abuse, particularly within the medical profession. Advocacy groups are pushing for stricter laws to prevent convicted offenders from working in positions of power over children.

They are also calling for a cultural shift to ensure that victims are believed and supported, rather than silenced by stigma.

“This should mark a new step towards a justice system that listens to and protects victims while firmly convicting aggressors,” several child protection organisations said in a statement.

A Legacy of Pain and a Path Forward

The trial of Le Scouarnec is not just about one man’s crimes; it is a reckoning for the systems that failed to protect vulnerable children. For the 299 victims, the proceedings offer a chance to confront their abuser and seek justice.

For France, the case represents an opportunity to confront deep-seated issues and implement reforms that prioritise the safety and dignity of all citizens.

As the trial unfolds, the world watches, hoping that this landmark case will mark a turning point in the fight against sexual abuse and the systemic failures that enable it.