Millions of documents - but Epstein's victims say they are no closer to justice

Millions of documents - but Epstein's victims say they are no closer to justice
Source: BBC

Warning: this article contains language some readers may find offensive.

Millions of files relating to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have been disclosed by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) since a law mandated their release last year.

On 30 January, another tranche - which included three million documents - was published. Deputy US Attorney General Todd Blanche said at the time he hoped it would "bring closure" for Epstein's victims, who had endured "unspeakable pain".

Days later, botched redactions which revealed the identities of some of Epstein's victims forced the DOJ to wipe thousands of the files from its website.

Among them were women who had not previously been named publicly, according to their lawyers. The unredacted files included emails, victim statements, nude images and bank account details.

The DOJ blamed the mistakes on "technical or human error".

"I'm heartbroken for the girls whose information was released. It's such a huge violation of one of the most terrible moments of their lives," Epstein survivor Ashley Rubright told the BBC.
Another, Annie Farmer, said: "It is hard to focus on the new information that has been brought to light because of how much damage the DOJ has done by exposing survivors this way."
"We feel like they're playing some games with us but we're not going to stop fighting," a third, Lisa Phillips, added.

Campaigners now fear that the scale of the error could have broader consequences and even deter other victims of trafficking and sexual violence from reporting the offences.

"It creates a sense that if you come forward you will not be protected," said Kim Villanueva, president of the US-based campaign group, the National Organization for Women (NOW), which was heavily involved in the lobbying effort for Congress to compel the release of the files.

Compounding Villanueva's concern is what comes next for Epstein's victims.

With the government's review of the files now over, and its insistence that there are no grounds for new prosecutions, the future looks uncertain.

"I'm sure there are survivors and victims of sexual violence seeing this happening and thinking: 'Well, these files are being released but nothing's happening. If I report a crime, what will happen to me?'" she said.

Apart from Epstein himself - who was convicted in 2008 for soliciting sex from a 14-year-old girl - the only other person who has been found guilty of a crime is his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving 20 years in prison for helping him traffic underaged girls.

The latest release accelerated the public takedown of several powerful figures named in the files, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his royal titles in October following intense scrutiny of his links to Epstein. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Another, Lord Mandelson, was sacked as ambassador to the US over his friendship with Epstein, and has since left the House of Lords following allegations of misconduct in public office. Mandelson has not yet commented but previously said he was not complicit or culpable in Epstein’s crimes and has apologised to the women and girls who suffered.

But Villanueva says they “give a false sense that the system is working”. She wants to see more accountability.