Testimony from a Survivor of Epstein’s Network

At 17, I met Jeffrey Epstein while pursuing my dream of becoming a ballerina. I was juggling odd jobs around my dance schedule when a woman approached me about a “wealthy philanthropist” who employed young performers like me.

Shortly after that encounter, my mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor. In a time of desperation, I brought her medical scans to Epstein. He turned my need for help into a leverage point, claiming he could either assist my mother or block her from getting necessary care. This manipulation marked the onset of months of abuse.

It took me years to come forward. I feel compelled to share my story because there remain powerful individuals who wish it would simply disappear.

Unfortunately, much of the truth surrounding Epstein’s operations stays concealed from the American public. Although 33,000 published files exist, they barely scratch the surface. Additional documents and records could shed light on those who enabled his actions, how his activities were financed, and why he was permitted to continue his exploitation of women.

For decades, those who protected Epstein enjoyed silence, while his survivors remained voiceless. This is precisely why the current discussions in Congress are crucial. The Epstein File Transparency Act seeks to compel the Justice Department to release all unclassified records associated with Epstein and his associates.

Many Republican members of Congress have shown admirable support for survivors. It’s essential they maintain this stance.

I believe they will because they recognize the stakes for American families. They frequently emphasize their commitment to protecting children and standing against governmental overreach.

Now is the moment to test those principles. By voting in favor of the Epstein File Transparency Act, we can demonstrate that our values regarding faith, family, liberty, and the rule of law are more than mere rhetoric.

Opponents might claim that full disclosure could harm privacy or exacerbate trauma. As one of those survivors, I can assert that this isn’t our objective. We don’t demand that personal details or explicit material become public. What we seek is accountability. There are ways to protect victims during the editing process—this has happened before. What we can no longer safeguard is the comfort of those in power who have benefitted from our silence.

Moreover, Ghislaine Maxwell’s recent request for a pay reduction underscores the urgency of this transparency. While survivors strive for openness, those who collaborated in Epstein’s heinous acts continue to seek more lenient consequences. This disparity is what the Epstein File Transparency Act aims to rectify.

Earlier this year, Epstein survivors convened in Washington. We aren’t here to create divisions. We’re united in conveying to legislators that the truth transcends partisan lines. It’s about safeguarding our children and communities from those who thrive on silence. All representatives must recognize this.

Returning to normalcy post-abuse wasn’t easy for me. I halted my dance practice for years; just the thought of slipping on a leotard felt like a reminder of everything I’d lost. Eventually, I found my way back to the studio. Engaging in physical activity has become a means of reclaiming my body and voice. Each movement now serves as defiance against the silence that once enveloped me.

But I’m not asking for sympathy. I urge our leaders to remember their commitment to protect the innocent, uphold the law, and pursue the truth. Those who suffer in silence are carefully observing who stands by their word and who might abandon them.

I recognize courage because I witness it daily among survivors who refuse to cease their fight. I earnestly ask our elected officials to manifest that same courage now.