Six women who say they were trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell publicly spoke out in Washington, D.C., demanding the release of more investigative files and urging former President Donald Trump not to pardon Maxwell. The survivors appeared alongside family members of Virginia Giuffre, a prominent Epstein accuser who tragically died by suicide earlier this year. Together, they condemned what they described as the government’s decades-long failure to hold Epstein’s powerful network accountable for widespread abuse.
Jess Michaels, who alleges that Epstein raped her in 1991, described him as a “master manipulator” who employed calculated tactics to trap young women and girls. She emphasized how survivors were left vulnerable and defenseless in the face of his predatory behavior. Michaels accused the justice system of committing a “severe miscarriage of justice” by failing to adequately investigate and prosecute those involved. Her public statements echoed the frustrations of many survivors who have endured years of delay and secrecy.
Two other survivors, Wendy Avis and Jena-Lisa Jones, recounted their experiences of abuse when they were just 14 years old. Both women criticized the silence and inaction of adults who they believe witnessed Epstein’s exploitation but chose to ignore it. Jones insisted that many people within Epstein’s circle “very clearly knew what was going on” yet failed to intervene. Avis, speaking publicly for the first time, stressed that the trauma extended beyond the high-profile victims, affecting countless others whose stories remain unheard and justice remains elusive.
The group, which also included Marijke Chartouni, Lisa Phillips, and Liz Stein, directed much of their anger at the Department of Justice. They accused officials of withholding crucial information, failing to protect survivors, and ignoring repeated calls for transparency. Stein voiced support for bipartisan Congressional efforts aimed at releasing more investigative records related to Epstein’s case. Their public remarks came just before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee released over 33,000 pages of documents, intensifying demands for accountability.
Legislators from both parties have since stepped up efforts to investigate potential mishandling of Epstein and Maxwell’s cases. Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie are leading bipartisan initiatives seeking to uncover failures in the justice system’s response. Maxwell, now serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking, continues to deny any wrongdoing, a stance that has further enraged survivors who view her conviction as only a partial victory in a broader fight for justice.
Lisa Phillips captured the survivors’ shared sense of urgency and determination, warning that they will not cease pushing for justice. She suggested that if the government continues to neglect their demands, survivors might take matters into their own hands, stating, “We’ll compile our own list.” For these women, the public appeal was both a demand for transparency and a declaration that their voices—and the voices of countless others—will no longer be ignored or silenced.
