On Wednesday, victims of Jeffrey Epstein gathered outside the U.S. Capitol, sharing their experiences of sexual abuse and appealing for the release of more documents related to the Epstein investigation. Lisa Phillips, a representative from the group, announced that they are compiling a confidential list of individuals connected to Epstein whom they believe were involved in the abuse. She emphasized that the effort is being undertaken by survivors for the benefit of survivors.
The event, organized by U.S. lawmakers, featured nine women who detailed their accounts of abuse by Epstein. Phillips urged the Department of Justice to disclose all relevant documents from the investigation, expressing concern that many victims fear retribution if they disclose names themselves. A lawyer representing the accusers highlighted their fear of potential legal consequences, stating that they feel unprotected.
Marina Lacerda shared her story publicly for the first time, recounting her employment with Epstein from age 14 to 17, describing her experience as a severe contrast between initial hopes and subsequent trauma. Annie Farmer, reflecting on her own experiences, questioned why previous reports of abuse were not thoroughly investigated, stating that Epstein’s actions harmed numerous girls.
The discussion also touched on Epstein’s connections with former President Donald Trump. Chauntae Davies noted that Epstein often bragged about his friendship with Trump and mentioned a photograph of the two displayed in Epstein’s office. In response to these claims, Trump acknowledged their past friendship but stated they had a falling out in the early 2000s. He dismissed calls for further document releases as distractions, noting that recent disclosures included a significant amount of already available material.
Currently, there is ongoing legislative action, with two House members attempting to gather enough signatures to compel the Justice Department to release additional files. The White House and some Congressional leaders have opposed these efforts, citing concerns for the privacy of victims who wish to remain anonymous.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yvpgyjed8o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss