Victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein are bracing for an increase in death threats as the US government prepares to release files related to his case. In a joint statement, 18 named survivors and 10 anonymous victims warned that they have already received threats and are preparing for them to escalate. The group is demanding accountability and legal support to face their abusers and seek justice.
The release of the files, which are expected to include emails, text messages, and other communications between Epstein and his associates, has been a contentious issue in the US. Some lawmakers had pushed for the documents to be released entirely, while others argued that certain information should remain redacted due to national security concerns or privacy protections.
Epstein's victims claim that they have faced intimidation and harassment from those who seek to discredit their allegations of abuse. The group is calling on federal and state law enforcement agencies to investigate these threats and protect them.
One survivor, Marina Lacerda, told the Associated Press that she hopes the release of the files will provide some closure for her and other victims. However, she also expressed fear about what she might discover about her own trauma. "I feel that the government and the FBI knows more than I do, and that scares me, because it's my life, it's my past," she said.
The case against Epstein has dominated headlines in recent years, with several high-profile figures facing scrutiny over their connections to him. Prince Andrew, a member of the British royal family, is among those who have been accused of abuse by one of Epstein's victims, Virginia Giuffre.
As the release of the files approaches, Epstein's victims are urging lawmakers and law enforcement agencies to prioritize their safety and well-being. "We ask every federal and state law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over these threats to investigate them and protect us," said the statement from the survivors.
The release of the files, which are expected to include emails, text messages, and other communications between Epstein and his associates, has been a contentious issue in the US. Some lawmakers had pushed for the documents to be released entirely, while others argued that certain information should remain redacted due to national security concerns or privacy protections.
Epstein's victims claim that they have faced intimidation and harassment from those who seek to discredit their allegations of abuse. The group is calling on federal and state law enforcement agencies to investigate these threats and protect them.
One survivor, Marina Lacerda, told the Associated Press that she hopes the release of the files will provide some closure for her and other victims. However, she also expressed fear about what she might discover about her own trauma. "I feel that the government and the FBI knows more than I do, and that scares me, because it's my life, it's my past," she said.
The case against Epstein has dominated headlines in recent years, with several high-profile figures facing scrutiny over their connections to him. Prince Andrew, a member of the British royal family, is among those who have been accused of abuse by one of Epstein's victims, Virginia Giuffre.
As the release of the files approaches, Epstein's victims are urging lawmakers and law enforcement agencies to prioritize their safety and well-being. "We ask every federal and state law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over these threats to investigate them and protect us," said the statement from the survivors.