The atmosphere was both emotional and resolute, reflecting years of trauma, legal battles, and systemic failures that allowed Epstein’s network to flourish.
When asked about unverified allegations attempting to connect former President Donald Trump to Epstein’s crimes, the survivors unanimously declined to endorse or repeat rumors not supported by established evidence.
Their refusal disrupted certain narratives circulating online and in some media circles, emphasizing instead the importance of facts, documentation, and credibility.
A Unified Panel of Survivors and a Tribute to Virginia Giuffre
The panel brought together six women:
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Jess Michaels
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Wendy Avis
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Marijke Chartouni
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Jena-Lisa Jones
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Liz Stein
In addition, relatives of Virginia Roberts Giuffre — one of Epstein’s most well-known accusers — were present and spoke on her behalf.
Giuffre’s death by suicide in 2024 left a deep scar on the community of survivors.
Many who attended the event described her as a central figure whose courage helped break open a trafficking network that had remained hidden for decades.
Giuffre’s family members spoke with visible emotion, recalling her years of advocacy, her cooperation with law enforcement, her international legal efforts, and the intense scrutiny she endured.
Her relatives said that although she is no longer alive, her mission continues through the voices of the women she inspired.
Each woman on the panel shared painful memories, but they also highlighted the broader structural problems that allowed Epstein to evade justice for so long:
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law enforcement hesitations
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failed investigations
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lenient plea deals
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institutional blind spots
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social services unable to intervene
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federal agencies failing to connect warning signs
Several panelists described how Epstein exploited their vulnerabilities, using promises of financial security, career opportunities, or emotional support.
Others explained how he targeted younger victims through a sophisticated network of recruiters, social connections, and assistants — a system that operated with disturbing efficiency.
“Epstein was a master manipulator”
One of the most powerful statements came from Jess Michaels, who says Epstein raped her in 1991 when she was 22.
Her voice was steady but filled with years of accumulated pain:
“Epstein was a master manipulator. His entire operation was built on psychological control. None of us — not one — stood a chance against the tactics he used.
Everything he did was calculated and rehearsed. It wasn’t random. It was a system he engineered over years.”
Her comments reflected a shared sentiment: Epstein’s crimes were not the actions of a single individual acting in isolation, but part of a deliberate, highly organized structure that relied on money, influence, and the silence of those in positions of authority.
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