**French Surgeon Confesses to Disturbing Child Abuse in Historic Trial**

In a chilling moment during one of France's largest child abuse trials, 74-year-old former surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec confessed to "despicable acts" of assault against his patients, primarily children, between 1989 and 2014. Le Scouarnec stands accused of abusing or raping 299 victims, most of whom were under 15 at the time. Speaking before the court in Vannes, he expressed his acknowledgment of the "indelible wounds" caused by his actions and noted the lasting emotional scars borne by his victims.

The trial, which began this week, is marked by distressing testimonies and the unfolding tragedy of identified victims, some of whom were as young as one year old, while others are now in their 70s. Many of the assaults were documented in diaries kept by Le Scouarnec, leading to the eventual investigation when police notified the alleged victims of the records. In a grim reflection of the failings in the medical system and societal silence surrounding such abuses, some victims remain unaware of the full extent of the trauma they experienced.

Notably, the public prosecutor highlighted that this trial arose not from victims coming forward, but rather investigators reaching out to victims based on the gruesome diaries meticulously maintained by the defendant.

Le Scouarnec’s admissions come on the back of prior convictions for the abuse of four children, for which he was imprisoned in 2017. The court's proceedings are expected to continue through this month and into June, capturing the attention of many affected families, as well as the public and advocacy groups demanding accountability in the medical profession.

As more victims and their families confront the haunting memories of their experiences, the trial serves as a painful reminder of both the pervasive issues of child abuse and the mechanisms that have historically enabled such acts to go unchecked.