Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse gathered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, sharing harrowing accounts of their experiences and urging lawmakers to release thousands of files related to the disgraced financier’s crimes. The powerful news conference, organized by bipartisan members of Congress, featured nine women who demanded full transparency and accountability for Epstein and those connected to his network.
Lisa Phillips, one of the survivors, announced that the group is compiling a confidential list of Epstein associates they say were involved in the abuse. “We will confidentially compile the names we all know were regularly in the Epstein world,” Phillips said. “It will be done by survivors, and for survivors.” She emphasized that many victims fear retaliation or lawsuits if they publicly name powerful figures, a concern echoed by the group’s lawyer, who said the women were “not protected the first time.”
Several survivors shared emotional testimony, including Marina Lacerda, who spoke publicly for the first time. Lacerda revealed she began working for Epstein at just 14 years old, only to be discarded at 17 when he considered her “too old.” Through tears, she recalled being lured in by a neighborhood friend who promised quick cash for massages, only to be forced into Epstein’s Manhattan mansion alongside “dozens of girls” she personally knew. “It went from a dream job to the worst nightmare,” she said.
Another survivor, Annie Farmer, described being flown to Epstein’s New Mexico property at age 16, where she was abused. She revealed her sister reported the incident at the time, but authorities failed to act. “We still do not know why that report wasn’t properly investigated, or why Epstein and his associates were allowed to harm hundreds, if not thousands, of other girls and young women,” Farmer said.
The event came just one day after the House Oversight Committee released 33,000 pages of documents and several videos related to the case. However, committee members revealed that 97% of the material was already public, sparking outrage among victims and advocates who are pushing for the full release of roughly 100,000 pages believed to be held by the Justice Department.
Lawmakers Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) are now gathering signatures to force a vote to compel the release of all Epstein files. “It’s shameful this has been called a hoax. This is not a hoax,” Massie said. “There are real victims to this criminal enterprise, and the perpetrators are being protected because they are rich and powerful.”
The push for transparency has been met with resistance from Republican leaders and the White House, who argue that releasing the files could compromise the privacy of victims who wish to remain anonymous. Survivors, however, say the fight is far from over — and they will continue to demand justice until the full truth is revealed.
Source: YouTube
