“There are gaps in my memory that I cannot recover, no matter how hard I try,” Marina Lacerda told a hushed room on Capitol Hill. “The government holds documents that could help me understand my own story and begin to heal.”
On Wednesday, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse network delivered powerful, chilling testimonies before lawmakers. For several, it was the first time speaking publicly. In addition to sharing horrific stories of exploitation and outlining a predator-protecting system, they united in their demand that the Justice Department make all of the remaining investigative documents pertaining to Epstein and his colleagues public.
Their stories painted a picture not only of abuse by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell but of profound betrayal by institutions designed to protect them.
Personal Stories of Manipulation and Fear
The hearing gave a platform to voices long silenced. Each narrative, while unique, echoed themes of manipulation, fear, and a stolen childhood.
Marina Lacerda was just 14 years old when she was introduced to Epstein in Brazil with the promise of earning money through massage. Juggling three jobs to help her family, she saw an opportunity. Instead, she was drawn into a cycle of abuse that lasted until she was 17. She recalled leaving school before finishing the 9th grade because she was required at Epstein’s house so frequently. Her hopes for stable work as his assistant ended when Epstein coldly informed her she had grown “too old.” She questioned why Epstein evaded meaningful punishment in 2008 and why she was never called to testify.
Jena-Lisa Jones, abused in Palm Beach beginning at age 14, described herself as an innocent teenager enduring a difficult home life when Epstein targeted her. “I had never been more afraid in my life than that first time,” she said, recalling crying all the way home. Inside his residence, she saw photos of Epstein with influential figures, images that left her convinced no one would ever believe her story.
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The Cycle of Recruitment and Intimidation
The survivors detailed how Epstein’s operation relied on recruiting new victims, creating a self-sustaining system of abuse.
Haley Robson was a 16-year-old strong student with college ambitions when a classmate recruited her to give Epstein a massage. Once in the room, he undressed and demanded sexual acts. Afterward, Epstein gave her $200 and pressured her to bring other girls, promising the same payment for each recruit. “I felt I couldn’t say no — if I disobeyed, something bad would happen,” Robson recalled. When the stepmother of one girl finally alerted police, Robson said authorities treated her as the criminal. Her message to lawmakers was direct: “End the secrecy. Lift the curtain. Every member of Congress who resists this bill should be exposed.”
A Global Network Shielded by Power
The testimonies underscored that Epstein’s crimes were not confined to one location but formed a vast, international network. Lisa Phillips recounted being taken to Epstein’s private island in the Caribbean during a photoshoot in 2000. There, she witnessed the scale of his influence, which extended deep into the worlds of fashion, art, and entertainment. “This was not limited to underage girls in Florida,” she stated, describing Epstein as an international trafficker shielded by powerful connections. Rejecting sympathy, she declared: “We are not here for pity. We are here to demand accountability.”
Lasting Trauma and Ongoing Fear
The impact of Epstein’s abuse continues to haunt the survivors today. They live with lasting trauma and, for some, a very real fear for their safety.
Actress Anouska De Georgiou said she has been followed by cars and was warned directly by Epstein and Maxwell that speaking out could mean death. Annie Farmer, who along with her sister once tried to tell her story to Vanity Fair, revealed their account was suppressed under direct pressure from Epstein and Maxwell.
Their courage to speak now is fueled by a quest for justice. “We know their names,” one survivor said, adding that the women have begun compiling their own list of individuals who were part of Epstein’s circle.
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The Legislative Push for Transparency
The gripping testimonies came as bipartisan pressure builds in Congress to mandate the release of all Epstein-related investigative files. Representatives Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) are leading a discharge petition to force a House vote on the Epstein Act, legislation requiring the Justice Department to make the records public with redactions only to protect victims.
Earlier this week, the House Oversight Committee released over 33,000 pages of documents from the DOJ. However, critics argue most were already public and heavily redacted, leaving key questions unanswered. For the survivors, only full disclosure can deliver the real accountability they seek and help piece together the fractured narratives of their pasts.
