Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell came together in Washington, D.C., united in demanding truth, accountability, and the release of long-hidden federal files.
A group of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s survivors—many of whom were speaking publicly for the first time—stood in front of the U.S. Capitol Wednesday morning and demanded accountability. Flanked by a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, the women called for the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which would force the government to release its full files on Epstein and his enablers.
The night before, survivors and their families gathered for a dinner and reception hosted by World Without Exploitation, offering a rare chance to connect in person before the public testimony.
“This is not about politics. This is about transparency and justice,” said survivor Courtney Wild, who was just 14 when she was abused. Wild described her 10-year legal battle with the federal government, which she said shielded Epstein through a secret non-prosecution agreement. “The government violated our rights to protect Epstein. We deserve the truth.”
Haley Robson, who was recruited at 16, stressed that the fight must cut across partisan divides: “This is not political. … We are real human beings. This is real trauma.”
Other survivors spoke of threats, disbelief, and the long shadow of trauma. Marina Lacerda, identified in court documents as “Minor Victim 1,” addressed the public for the first time about her ordeal.
Jena-Lisa Jones said she often felt “isolation and disbelief,” while Lisa Phillips urged lawmakers to “choose between protecting predators or protecting survivors.”
Several women expressed outrage at what they see as leniency for Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate who is serving a 20-year prison sentence. “It is horrifying to see her transferred to a lower-security facility,” said Annie Farmer, who was abused as a teenager.
Teresa Helm spoke bluntly about her “anger over Maxwell’s conditions” and the pain of reliving her trauma.
Liz Stein said of herself and the other Epstein and Maxwell survivors at the rally, “We are initiated into a sisterhood. We’re in a sorority that none of us asked to join, but we all stand here today, stronger together, because our collective voice is powerful.”
Lawmakers including Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) pledged to push forward the transparency bill. “Only 3 percent of the documents given to the Oversight Committee are new,” Khanna said. “DOJ is stonewalling. Survivors deserve justice, and the public deserves transparency.”
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) has accused congressional leaders and federal agencies of deliberately concealing files related to Jeffrey Epstein, describing the effort as far bigger than just Trump. “The fact of the matter is this is a cover up. This is a massive cover up,” Goldman told CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Sept. 2, arguing that officials aren’t simply stonewalling but actively using “charades and sleight of hand” to keep information hidden. He said the staggered, incomplete release of records and restrictions on key evidence amount to a coordinated attempt to shield Epstein’s crimes and connections from public view.
Survivors emphasized that failures by federal agencies allowed Epstein’s abuse to continue for years. Several have joined lawsuits against the FBI for ignoring or minimizing tips dating back to the 1990s.
“The abuse was real,” Robson said. “This is about our freedom, our safety, and the truth. Congress has to act.”
“Justice is not selective,” said Sky Roberts at the Wednesday press conference. “It does not and must not bend to money, influence or titles.”
“Know this: Justice and accountability are not favors from the powerful. They are obligations decades overdue,” said survivor Jess Michaels. “This moment began with [Jeffrey] Epstein’s crimes, but it’s going to be remembered for survivors demanding justice, demanding truth, demanding accountability, and we will not stop until survivor voices shape justice, transform culture and define the future.”
