French Surgeon Jailed for Abusing 299 Patients

French Surgeon Sentenced to 20 Years for Assaulting 299 Patients A former French surgeon, Joel Le Scouarnec, 74, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexually assaulting 299 patients, mostly children. The abuse, which spanned from 1989 to 2014, has shocked France and sparked outrage over the healthcare system's failure to act sooner. Le Scouarnec's crimes came to light after a series of investigations. The prosecution argued that he treated his victims as "inanimate objects," showing no empathy. One victim's lawyer stated, "This sentence does not erase the suffering of the victims, but it is a step towards justice." The case has raised serious questions about the oversight and accountability within the French healthcare system, prompting calls for reform to better protect vulnerable patients.