In VANNES, France, on Feb 28, police informed Louis-Marie, 35, that he had likely been sexually abused by a surgeon when treated for appendicitis two decades earlier. At first, Louis-Marie thought it was a prank until realizing it wasn't.
Louis-Marie is among 299 individuals, primarily children at the time, who were purportedly raped or sexually assaulted by the retired surgeon, facing severe charges of mass child abuse in a French trial.
Louis-Marie cited Gisele Pelicot as an inspiration for publicly testifying without anonymity against her abuser, who invited strangers to their home to rape her. Referring to the #MeToo movement and Pelicot's bravery, Louis-Marie emphasized, "it's not for us victims to feel shame."
The #MeToo movement emerged in response to allegations against Harvey Weinstein in 2017.
Le Scouarnec documented the rape and assault of Louis-Marie, then a nine-year-old, in his diaries, admitting to the crime during the investigation.
On the trial's first day, Le Scouarnec admitted to causing irreparable harm, expressing remorse for his actions. Louis-Marie's lawyer highlighted Pelicot's influence in encouraging victims to speak out against sexual violence.
Louis-Marie, despite the emotional struggle, aimed to break the culture of silence around sexual abuse by publicly sharing his trauma to protect future generations.
The case prompts questions about France's healthcare system's response to Le Scouarnec's past conviction and employment, with calls for accountability for any negligence in preventing the abuse.
Louis-Marie stressed the importance of holding those responsible for inaction during the abuse accountable post-trial. Local authorities are investigating potential criminal liability for failing to prevent the abuse.
Louis-Marie urged for an end to the "law of silence," advocating for transparency and accountability, while health authorities and medical organizations declined to comment during the ongoing trial.