French doctor sentenced to 20 years for sexual abuse of children to 20 years

French doctor sentenced to 20 years for sexual abuse of children to 20 years

A French court condemned a retired surgeon on Wednesday for rape and sexual attacks on patients, partly in the state of anesthesia. This process shaked France.

The shocking acts by Joel Le Scouarnec

Joel Le Scouarnec confessed to court that he had committed “despised things” over a period of 25 years, while working as a doctor in West France. With a penalty of 20 years in prison, the 74-year-old was found guilty. The acts of Le Scouarneecs, in which many of the victims were children at the time of the attack, are considered the worst case of pedocrimity in France, which was brought to court. It was accused of severe rape or sexual coercion of a total of 299 victims.

an eyewitness report

"I am aware that the damage I have done is irreparable," said Le Scouarnec at the beginning of his process in February. "I owe all these people and their relatives, my deeds and their consequences to admit that they have suffered and that they will wear all of their lives."

a process in the context of social processing

The process took place at a time when France deals with sexual crimes, especially after the conviction of Dominique Pelicot, who was convicted in December for the drug abuse of his wife and subsequent rape by several men.

criminal record and disregard by the authorities

Le Scouarnec is already serving a prison sentence due to previous rape judgments. In 2020 he was sentenced to 15 years in prison after sexually abused a neighboring boy, his two nieces and a four -year -old patient. Victims and their families have publicly asked why the local and national health authorities failed to stop Le Scouarnec. In 2005 he was convicted of downloading pictures of the sexual abuse of children and received a suspended sentence, but was still able to work in public hospitals.

The extent of abuse

In front of the court, several dozen victims and rights activists gathered who wore a banner made of hundreds of white paper pieces with black silhouettes - one for every victim. Some of the papers wore a first name and an age, while others described the victim as "anonymous". The entire extent of Le Scouarneec's abuse was uncovered after his new arrest in 2017 when he was suspected of raping his six -year -old neighbor.

Investigations and possible criminal responsibility

The police discovered electronic diaries that documented more than two decades of rapes and sexual attacks on young patients in hospitals in the region, as well as a supply of sex dolls, wigs and child pornography. The process took place in Vannes, a small town in Brittany. The responsible public prosecutor, who directed the investigation against Le Scouarnec, has initiated a separate investigation to clarify whether there were criminal responsibilities of institutions or people who could have prevented the abuse continued.