A 74-year-old surgeon in France is facing trial on accusations of sexually assaulting and/or raping approximately 300 patients, the majority of whom were minors, over several decades. The trial, expected to last four months, is taking place in Vannes, Brittany, and involves around 200 suspected victims, ranging in age from 18 months to 70 years at the time of the alleged crimes, who will provide testimony. The case has sparked outrage and calls for changes to sexual abuse laws in France.

The surgeon's crimes allegedly began around 1990, and he documented them in a diary that was discovered by investigators in 2017 during a house search. This search was initiated after a 6-year-old girl reported being raped by the surgeon, who was her neighbor. In 2020, the surgeon was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the rape and sexual assault of the young girl, a female patient, and two of his nieces, all of whom were underage. This initial conviction led to a broader investigation into more than 300 other cases, resulting in the current trial.

A particularly disturbing aspect of the case is that many of the victims were under the influence of anesthesia following operations and were unaware of the abuse until informed by investigators. This has raised serious questions about the protocols and oversight in place at the hospitals where the surgeon worked.

Homayra Sellier, president of the child welfare association "Innocence en Danger," has criticized the authorities for their handling of the case. She points to a 2005 incident where the surgeon received a suspended sentence for accessing child sexual abuse material online, questioning why his medical license wasn't revoked immediately. The regional medical association stated that it only learned of the verdict in 2008 and has since tightened its control mechanisms. However, the surgeon's license was not revoked until 2021.

Sellier is advocating for the abolition of the statute of limitations for sexual offenses against minors, noting that dozens of victims in this case were not recognized as civil plaintiffs because the crimes had expired under the existing laws. Her association is representing 37 alleged victims in the trial.

Magali Lafourcade, a former judge and secretary-general of the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH), is also calling for better legal protection for victims of sexual abuse. She highlights the "Romeo and Juliet" clause, which states that individuals under 15 are not considered mature enough to consent to sex with someone more than five years older. However, in other cases, victims must prove violence, threats, coercion, or surprise to bring a rape accusation. Lafourcade believes this definition should be broadened to include power-based relationships, such as those between doctors and patients.

Lafourcade also emphasizes the importance of reporting suspected abuse, stating that the number of victims in this case could have been reduced if concerns had been raised earlier. Reports suggest that some family members of the victims were aware of the surgeon's actions. She advocates for public information campaigns about incest and child sexual abuse, as well as educating children from an early age about sexual abuse prevention.

Philippe Fait, a deputy and former special education teacher, announced plans for new programs in schools starting in September to teach children about bodily autonomy. He also stressed the need for better vetting of personnel who work with children. While schools have been required to provide sex education lessons since 2001, Mai Lan Chapiron, a singer and author who was herself a victim of sexual abuse, believes that these measures do not go far enough. She visits schools and holiday camps to educate children about sexual abuse prevention, using her book "Le Loup" as a standard resource.

The association "Les Papillons" (The Butterflies) is providing support to children through "butterfly boxes" placed in schools and sports clubs. These boxes allow children to anonymously report instances of bullying, violence, or sexual assault. The association has received tens of thousands of messages, highlighting the prevalence of these issues. Laurent Boyet, the founder of "Les Papillons," created the initiative based on his own experience of being unable to talk about the sexual abuse he suffered as a child.

The placement of these boxes in hospitals is also being considered, though it might not have significantly altered the outcome in the surgeon's case, as many victims were unaware of the abuse due to being anesthetized. The trial is expected to shed light on systemic failures and prompt significant reforms in the prevention and handling of sexual abuse cases in France.