Victims of Jeffrey Epstein have shared emotional accounts of sexual abuse as they called for lawmakers to release more files about the convicted sex offender on the steps of the US Capitol.
One of the women, Lisa Phillips, said the group had begun compiling a confidential list of Epstein associates who they say were involved in abuse.
We will confidentially compile the names we all know were regularly in the Epstein world, she said. It will be done by survivors, and for survivors.
The event was organized by US lawmakers who are calling for more files from the Epstein investigation to be released publicly.
During the two-hour news conference on Wednesday, nine female Epstein accusers detailed their experiences and abuse at the hands of the disgraced financier.
Ms. Phillips urged the US Department of Justice (DoJ) to release all the documents and information it has from the investigation, adding that many victims were afraid of repercussions if they went public with names themselves.
A lawyer for the accusers said that they were scared of being sued or attacked because nobody protected them the first time.
Marina Lacerda, speaking publicly for the first time, said she worked for Epstein from the age of 14 until she was 17, when the disgraced financier determined she was too old.
I was one of dozens of girls that I personally know who were forced into Jeffrey's mansion... in New York City when we were just kids, she said.
Liz Stein, who sued Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and now works as a survivor mentor and policy adviser, told the BBC that she spoke at the Capitol rally to humanize survivors because she was tired of them being ignored.
Annie Farmer, another victim, reflected on her experience at the age of sixteen and criticized the lack of investigation into her reported abuse. She emphasized the ongoing struggle for transparency regarding Epstein and his associates' actions.
Donald Trump’s past friendship with Epstein was also addressed, although survivors asserted they did not witness him engaging in inappropriate behavior connected to Epstein.
Recent disclosures of investigative documents by the House Oversight Committee have led to further calls for transparency, highlighting the ongoing battle for justice faced by Epstein's victims.
