Victims of Jeffrey Epstein have shared emotional accounts of sexual abuse as they called for lawmakers to release more files about the convicted sex offender on the steps of the US Capitol.
One of the women, Lisa Phillips, said the group had begun compiling a confidential list of Epstein associates who they say were involved in abuse.
We will confidentially compile the names we all know were regularly in the Epstein world, she said. It will be done by survivors, and for survivors.
The event was organized by US lawmakers advocating for the release of documents related to the Epstein investigation.
During the two-hour news conference, nine female accusers detailed their experiences of abuse at the hands of the disgraced financier. Ms. Phillips urged the US Department of Justice (DoJ) to release all investigation-related documents, citing fears among victims regarding potential repercussions if they were to name their abusers themselves.
A lawyer representing the accusers noted their fear of being sued or attacked, reflecting a long history of neglect in their protective services. Marina Lacerda, who spoke publicly for the first time, described being recruited into Epstein's world at a young age, emphasizing the manipulation and control exercised over vulnerable girls.
Liz Stein, a survivor-turned-advocate, expressed the importance of humanizing the stories of survivors in light of their continuing trauma and the societal implications of sex trafficking. Additionally, various speakers at the rally called for thorough investigations into reports that had previously been ignored, maintaining that these discussions should not be politicized.
Current tangential discussions about Trump’s connection to Epstein added another layer to the narrative, yet the overall focus remained on demanding justice for the victims and a full disclosure of relevant files by the DoJ.
The House's recent release of extensive documents has been met with skepticism, with officials asserting that most of the information had been previously available, and calls for further actions are gaining momentum among legislators, who argue for transparency in the Epstein case.
