Survivors Speak Out Amid Legislative Victory
In a powerful display of solidarity, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse embraced after learning the US Senate had passed the groundbreaking Epstein Files Transparency Act. This landmark legislation, signed into law after Donald Trump dropped his opposition, compels the Department of Justice to release files related to the late financier within 30 days.
Bracing for Backlash and Threats
A group of 28 survivors, comprising 18 named women and 10 identified as Jane Does, issued a sobering statement titled 'What we're bracing for'. They revealed that many have already received death threats and other threats of harm, prompting requests for police investigation and protection. The women expressed fear that these intimidations would escalate as the document release approaches.
Among the signatories were prominent survivors including Maria and Annie Farmer, Marina Lacerda, and Jess Michaels. Their statement outlined four primary concerns they anticipate facing: victim-blaming for their abuse, incomplete disclosure of documents, efforts to divide the survivor community, and direct threats to their physical safety.
Personal Accounts of Intimidation
Individual survivors have begun sharing their experiences with harassment. Anouska De Georgiou, the first British woman to publicly allege abuse by Epstein, told BBC Newsnight that she received threatening communications intended to silence her since waiving her anonymity in 2019.
Tragically, Virginia Giuffre, one of the most well-known Epstein survivors, reportedly endured a campaign of intimidation and death threats before taking her own life in April this year.
The survivors' statement also addressed concerning attempts to minimise the abuse. They specifically referenced recent commentary, including from conservative radio host Megyn Kelly, that questioned whether Epstein qualified as a paedophile. The women firmly denounced arguments suggesting victims over 18 weren't legitimate victims, explaining their vulnerabilities stemmed from various life circumstances that Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell exploited.
Despite their fears, the survivors acknowledged their significant achievement: 'Thanks to brave supporters in Congress and in the public, we have won one victory, the passage of the bill to release the Epstein files. But we know the battle is far from over.'
