**French Surgeon Sentenced for Decades of Child Abuse: Victims Demand Stricter Justice**

The sentencing has incited outrage among victims and advocates, advocating for systemic changes in the judicial approach to child abuse cases.

Joel Le Scouarnec, a former surgeon labeled as France's most prolific paedophile, was sentenced Friday to a maximum of 20 years in prison for the sexual abuse of 299 victims, primarily children, between 1989 and 2014. Dressed in black and appearing emotionless, Le Scouarnec listened as the verdict was delivered by Judge Aude Burési in Brittany. This comes after he admitted to the horrific acts he committed, with many victims being under anesthesia or recovering from surgeries during the assaults.

The court highlighted the perpetrator's targeting of vulnerable individuals, with the sentence allowing for parole eligibility as early as 2030, a prospect that has left many victims unsettled. Amélie Lévêque, one of the victims, expressed deep distress at the thought of Le Scouarnec potentially regaining his freedom. She emphasized that while the victims struggle to rebuild their lives, Le Scouarnec might be allowed to lead a semblance of normalcy.

Legal advocate Francesca Satta criticized the sentence, stating, "Twenty years is little compared to the number of victims in this trial" and called for reforms to ensure justice aligns with the gravity of such heinous crimes. Notably, Le Scouarnec's lawyer confirmed that he would not be appealing the ruling.

Throughout the trial, numerous victims spoke out about the life-altering impact of Le Scouarnec's abuses. He had meticulously maintained diaries detailing the assaults, which proved essential in identifying victims, many of whom had no recollection of their experiences. Disturbingly, he acknowledged responsibility for the deaths of two victims who reportedly took their lives due to the trauma inflicted on them during their childhood.

The trial exposed systemic failures that allowed Le Scouarnec to continue his medical practice even after a previous conviction for downloading child pornography in 2005. A collective of victims expressed their frustration at the lack of attention from policymakers and the broader medical community. They lamented that society has not learned from the ordeal, which has highlighted failures inside healthcare and legal systems to protect vulnerable populations.

Catherine, a victim's mother, articulated her hope that the verdict would trigger discussions and reforms, not just for today's victims but for future generations as well. Many victims, like Manon Lemoine and Louis-Marie, conveyed their disappointment regarding Le Scouarnec's lack of visible remorse during the proceedings.

In a statement, Le Scouarnec offered an apology and discussed his emotional turmoil, yet several victims found his demeanor troublingly detached. His lawyer argued for his sincerity, calling the trial a significant moment of accountability.

The National Order of Doctors has publicly expressed regret for its failure to adequately respond to the suspicions surrounding Le Scouarnec, indicating a broader need within the medical community to address such grave misconduct and oversee its practitioners more effectively.