in Activism, Empire Ledger, History, Resistance |

We Were There; We’ll Make The List

Epstein Survivors Speak at the Capitol Demanding Accountability and Truth: Sept 3, 2025

At a press conference on Capitol Hill, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s abuse spoke publicly, some for the first time, declaring they will not wait for Congress or DOJ. Instead, they pledged to create their own record of those who enabled and exploited them.

Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s abuse gathered on the House Triangle outside the U.S. Capitol on September 3. Supported by attorneys and a bipartisan pair of lawmakers, they stepped to the podium one after another to tell their stories, call for accountability, and deliver a simple warning to Congress: if you won’t release the names, we the victims will.

The Voices of Survivors

Lauren Hersh, National Director of World Without Exploitation, opened by stressing solidarity: “There has never been a more critical time to stand united and ensure that those who have been exploited and abused are heard loud and clear.” Hersh’s remarks set a tone of urgency and collective resolve.

Liz Stein, joined in solidarity by training scholarship fellows: Gigi, LJ, Jessica, and Terry echoed the late Virginia Giuffre: “We are in a sorority that none of us asked to join.” Stein condemned decades of government failure, from Maria Farmer’s ignored allegations in 1996 onward. She noted that survivors believe the number of victims exceeds one thousand, yet no perpetrators have been held accountable and urged Americans to recognize survivors as the women you love, not “others”.

Teresa Helm read a letter from survivor Juliet Bryant, who was unable to attend in person. The letter accused institutions of cover-ups and lies, demanding financial investigation and naming those who shielded Epstein and Maxwell. Helm invoked Virginia Giuffre’s spirit as a guide in the continuing fight for justice.

Anne Farmer spoke for her sister, Maria Farmer, who is battling cancer and was unable to appear. Maria, who was assaulted in 1996, is still suing for answers. Anne’s presence underscored how long survivors have been carrying this burden, and how illness and age are catching up while justice stalls.

Sky Roberts, joined by family members Amanda Roberts and Daniel Wilson, read a message from Virginia Giuffre: “I look forward to the days when money and power do not stop the truth from coming out and the righteous prevail.” They described Virginia as “a warrior, a survivor” and demanded that perpetrators and enablers be revealed.

Theresa J. Holm, working with the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, turned directly to Ghislaine Maxwell: “It was you who sent me off to the home of a monster, knowing what was waiting for me.” She called for Maxwell to serve her full sentence and declared: “Let’s stop calling it an Epstein client list. It’s Epstein’s Sexpire List.”

Lisa Phillips, host of From Now On, spoke in personal terms: “Who I saw and what I experienced there will change me forever. I stand here today for every woman who has been silenced and exploited and dismissed — and we are not asking for pity, we are demanding accountability!”

She pointed to modeling agencies and recruiters like Jean-Luc Brunel, The Ford Family and Victoria’s Secret, who she said weaponized immigration systems to traffic young women. Phillips posed pointed questions asking:

  1. Who is/was he to governments that they would allow him to operate unimpeded and openly for decades?
  2. Why was he allowed to sponsor visas for young models?
  3. Why was he allowed to then used these visas to abuse and silence them?

Phillips revealed survivors are now preparing their own list of names: “It will be done by and for survivors.” You see they know the names because they were abused by them.  

Ashley Rubright emphasized dignity and solidarity: “Survivors deserve peace, survivors deserve truth, and survivors deserve justice. And to my fellow survivors, your voice matters, your story matters, and you matter”.

She condemned the enabling adults who looked the other way: She emphasized, “They are the greatest danger.” 

Hailey Robison, who first spoke out in the 2019 documentary Filthy Rich, told lawmakers bluntly: “The FBI knows the truth, the government knows the truth. We know the game, we know the players, and we are sitting here for 20 years waiting for you to get up and do something. Well guess what? Your time is up, and we are doing it.”

Wendy Pasanté, abused by Epstein at 14, said simply: “Silence only protects predators, not children.” She insisted survivors are not headlines but human beings whose lives were forever altered.

A dancer who did not disclose her name, described the process of dissociation, the loss of her ability to move her body, and the decades-long aftermath of abuse as a teenager: “We are a mosaic of shattered hopes and dreams.”

Jess Nichols, abused in 1991, declared: “Justice and accountability are not favors from the powerful. This is the era of the survivor. We will not be silenced.”

Attorney Eric Fudali made a statement for his client Rosa, trafficked from Uzbekistan in 2009, who came forward publicly for the first time. He condemned former U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta’s sweetheart deal that let Epstein escape federal charges: “Rosa would not be here today had Alex Acosta done his job.”

Attorney Gloria Allred represented survivor Alicia Arden, who first reported Epstein to police in 1997. Arden was ignored, and Epstein went on to cut a Florida plea deal that reduced sixty potential federal counts to just 2 state charges. Arden questioned the circumstances of Epstein’s death, suggesting it was ‘convenient’ for institutions that had failed to act.

Legislation

Only after dozens of survivors spoke did Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie step to the podium, highlighting their Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405 / S. 2557). The bill would require DOJ to publish unclassified records in a searchable database, with redactions to protect survivors.

Survivors, however, made clear that their movement is not hinging on legislative timelines.

What survivors demanded

Across testimonies, the survivors’ message converged: stop stalling, stop sanitizing, and stop hiding behind “client list” rumors. Survivors themselves are preparing their own record of perpetrators and enablers. Congress was put on notice: if institutions won’t deliver truth, survivors will.

The survivors spoke with courage, clarity, and exhaustion. Their demand is not complicated: truth without delay, justice without excuses. Survivors left Congress and the public with a clear demand: Stand with survivors…Not procedure.

Resources

RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE or online at rainn.org

World Without Exploitation https://www.worldwithoutexploitation.org/