Experts are urging teachers and parents in the UK to have brave conversations with children about Jeffrey Epstein's crimes, warning that failure to do so could lead young people to seek information from unsafe sources. The call comes ahead of the first public seminar for schools on the issue, hosted by education consultancy Thrive.
Adele Gladman, a specialist in child sexual exploitation, said children as young as six have been asking about Epstein due to sustained media coverage. She stressed the importance of trusted adults initiating these difficult discussions. “If you don’t have the conversation, those children will seek information elsewhere, and it’s the elsewhere that isn’t healthy and presents a risk,” she said.
Viv Trask-Hall, Thrive’s head of theory and practice, noted that over 2,000 educators have signed up for the webinar, reflecting strong interest. She explained that children are often exposed to Epstein-related content through social media algorithms, making it crucial for adults to provide context and support.
Gladman highlighted the need for dialogue around vulnerability, particularly among young women, and warned against desensitisation to exploitation. She urged schools to keep parents informed about how they approach the subject, as many carers struggle to address the distressing topic themselves.
