Starting Monday, a French doctor will be tried on charges of raping and sexually assaulting 299 people over 25 years — almost all his patients, almost all children at the time of the suspected abuse.

A former surgeon is going on trial in France for the rape and sexual abuse of 299 victims over a period spanning more than three decades

France is preparing for its largest-ever child abuse trial as a former surgeon stands accused of sexually assaulting 299 children.

France is about to hold its largest-ever child sex abuse trial. While just one man is in the dock — a former surgeon accused of raping or sexual abusing 299 people, mostly child patients — activists hope the trial empowers other victims and helps expose other abusers long protected by societal taboos.