The Jeffrey Epstein scandal has , triggered a , and left President grasping for .
However, despite increasing calls for the President to disclose the complete, unedited files, there are no demands for Epstein’s trafficking survivors to speak out. This indicates a new phase for the #MeToo movement and a notable change in societal views on who is accountable for addressing the consequences of sexual abuse.
It appears that society has at last acknowledged the immense difficulty of reporting sexual misconduct. This realization alone represents advancement.
Epstein reportedly trafficked numerous young girls over time. When former U.S. Attorney and Trump Labor Secretary controversially gave Epstein a non-prosecution agreement in 2007, the agreement also to “any unnamed co-conspirators.” To date, their identities remain unknown, and the Department of Justice declines to disclose them. However, it is highly probable that the survivors can identify the prominent men they were trafficked to.
To some, this might prompt what initially appears to be a straightforward question: Why have the survivors not emerged to reveal who is implicated on the list?
Yet, there are actually multiple reasons why victims of such offenses might opt not to disclose their experiences, all highlighting the difficulties women encounter when speaking about abuse. Firstly, confronting powerful individuals under intense public scrutiny is terrifying. We can attest to this. Nearly a decade ago, we against Fox News and its then-chairman and CEO Roger Ailes. , Ailes was considered the most influential figure in media and globally.
Each of us endured significant hardship, turning into symbols for those seeking to exploit our narratives for their own purposes. Stepping forward incurred a personal cost that extended beyond our professional lives. Being at the heart of such turmoil was isolating. The lives we had established abruptly felt imbalanced. We perceived ourselves as unfamiliar, even while maintaining our usual daily routines. While many of our family and friends offered sympathy, they couldn’t fully grasp our experience.
We were both adults when our lawsuits were filed, each having thriving careers, stable personal lives, and significant advantages. Even for us, the power imbalance between ourselves and those we accused of misconduct was enormous. Imagine how much more challenging it is for survivors trafficked as young girls to affluent, middle-aged men, some of whom were, and still are, extremely influential.
It seems, for a change, that society understands the answer to that question, which might explain why survivors are not currently being pressed to speak out.
This advancement is partly attributable to who have courageously recounted their experiences over recent years, including explaining the immense difficulty involved.
Notwithstanding these challenges, immense strength lies in narrating one’s own story. While stepping forward incurred costs for us in certain aspects, it was simultaneously the most courageous act we’ve ever undertaken, and we would repeat it if given the opportunity. For every malicious detractor who attempted to intimidate us, there were countless friends, family members, colleagues, and complete strangers who offered their encouragement and disclosed their own experiences. It was both profound and inspiring. The liberation and tranquility derived from speaking out are unparalleled.
Presently, numerous brave organizations and individuals are undertaking transformative efforts to assist survivors in seeking justice, expressing their truths, and ultimately shifting public perception on these matters. This is why we are dedicated to eliminating the that safeguard predators at the expense of survivors, including non-disclosure agreements that some survivors might have signed in their youth. We contributed to the passage of two significant federal laws designed to enhance protections for survivors to speak out in the workplace.
While some have minimized the influence of the #MeToo movement and doubted its effectiveness, the evolving public conversation surrounding the Epstein case demonstrates the subtle yet significant transformation in our societal culture. Currently, accountability is appropriately directed at those in positions of power—individuals who facilitated or engaged in abuse—rather than at the survivors. This constitutes genuine advancement. Although considerable work remains, it is important to recognize this progress.
The choice to discuss trauma is an individual one, and each survivor merits the right to make that decision on her own conditions. To the women and girls victimized by Jeffrey Epstein: you are obligated to no one. However, you are entitled to a world that trusts, supports, and safeguards you. And a multitude of people will persist in striving to create that world alongside you.