Six women who say they were trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell publicly urged the U.S. government to release sealed federal files and pursue justice for those who enabled Epstein’s crimes. Speaking in Washington, D.C., the survivors—Jess Michaels, Wendy Avis, Marijke Chartouni, Jena-Lisa Jones, Lisa Phillips, and Liz Stein—emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, not partisan speculation or political agendas.
The women detailed the personal trauma they endured and highlighted how Epstein’s manipulation thrived due to systemic failures. Jess Michaels, who said she was assaulted in 1991, called Epstein a “master manipulator” and said many victims never had a chance to protect themselves. They criticized institutions for allowing Epstein to operate for decades despite numerous warnings.
Central to their demands was the release of investigative files currently sealed by the Justice Department. Survivors argued that without full disclosure, public trust would continue to erode. Lisa Phillips stated that survivors “deserve the truth,” and Liz Stein warned that partial information only fuels misinformation and conspiracies.
When pressed by media outlets about alleged political connections, the women refused to speculate without verified evidence. Jena-Lisa Jones emphasized the importance of truth over assumptions, while Wendy Avis insisted that justice must not be shaped by political motives or media narratives. Their refusal to engage in partisan debates underscored their focus on systemic change.
The discussion also revisited the legacy of Virginia Giuffre, a central figure in exposing Epstein’s network, whose recent death added emotional weight to the survivors’ calls for justice. Family members present urged continued efforts to uncover the full extent of the crimes and those responsible.
Above all, the survivors demanded lasting accountability and systemic reform. Their message was clear: justice must be driven by truth, not politics, and the full scope of Epstein’s crimes must be brought to light.
