Six women who say they were trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell stepped forward in Washington, D.C., united in purpose and pain. Their demand was clear: release more of the federal documents tied to Epstein’s long history of exploitation and ensure every accomplice, no matter how powerful, faces justice. The gathering wasn’t just another press event—it was a deeply personal act of courage, filled with voices that had once been silenced for decades.
The event, partially organized by NBC News, drew attention for another surprising reason. While many expected the survivors to endorse popular narratives linking former President Donald Trump to Epstein, they firmly refused to do so. Their refusal disrupted the media’s attempt to frame the story through political bias, shifting focus back to what truly mattered—the victims’ ongoing pursuit of transparency and accountability.
The panel featured six survivors: Jess Michaels, Wendy Avis, Marijke Chartouni, Jena-Lisa Jones, Lisa Phillips, and Liz Stein. Together, they stood as living proof of endurance and solidarity. Their testimonies echoed through the room, offering both grief and defiance. These women, once scattered by trauma, were now bound by a common mission—to expose not only Epstein’s predatory system but also the web of enablers who shielded him.
Also present were relatives of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, the woman whose bravery in speaking out first brought Epstein’s trafficking empire into public view. Giuffre’s suicide in April left a void that still haunts many survivors. Her family’s quiet attendance served as a reminder of the unbearable cost that comes with fighting powerful abusers and the systems that protect them.
Each speaker painted a chilling portrait of Epstein’s manipulation and control. Their stories were not just about personal pain but about a system that repeatedly ignored them. They described the warning signs missed by law enforcement, the prosecutors who backed away, and the influential names that turned a blind eye in exchange for silence or favors.
Jess Michaels spoke first, her voice trembling yet firm. She recounted how she met Epstein in 1991 when she was only 22 and how he shattered her life through calculated deception and assault. “Epstein was a master manipulator,” she said. “He studied people, found their weaknesses, and used them. No young woman stood a chance against his psychopathic charm.”
Wendy Avis followed, sharing how she’d been drawn in by false promises of mentorship and success. What began as professional guidance soon turned into psychological captivity. Avis emphasized how Epstein’s operations relied on a façade of luxury and power, trapping victims who were too intimidated or ashamed to speak out.
Marijke Chartouni described the suffocating fear that lingered long after the abuse ended. For her, healing meant confronting not just Epstein’s crimes but society’s willingness to excuse them. “It wasn’t just him,” she said quietly. “It was the people who watched, who helped, who said nothing. They were part of the machinery.”
Jena-Lisa Jones recalled her years of silence, broken only when she realized how many others shared her pain. Speaking out, she said, was terrifying but necessary. “For too long, the truth was buried under money and influence,” Jones explained. “Today, we’re digging it back up, one voice at a time.”
Lisa Phillips, another survivor, expressed frustration that justice still feels incomplete despite Epstein’s death and Maxwell’s conviction. “So many files are sealed, so many names hidden,” she said. “We want the truth—every name, every document. The world deserves to know who protected him.”
Liz Stein ended the session by calling for unity among survivors worldwide. She urged governments and media organizations to stop exploiting the story for clicks or politics and instead focus on transparency. “We don’t want pity,” she said. “We want accountability and reform so no one else endures what we did.”
As the discussion closed, the women received a standing ovation. Their courage pierced through political noise, reminding everyone that the fight against sexual exploitation is not about parties or headlines—it’s about humanity. Their demand for truth, echoing through the nation’s capital, carried a simple but powerful message: silence protects predators, but solidarity exposes them.