The Epstein files release failed the survivors twice

[marmar]

The Epstein files release failed the survivors twice
Survivors were left without dignity and justice, after the document dump offered little accountability

By Garrett Owen
National Affairs Fellow
Published February 10, 2026 6:45AM (EST)


(Salon) The latest release of the Epstein files dumped more than 3 million files at the end of January, bringing forth shocking allegations and ample evidence of revolting behavior among the world’s richest and most powerful people — from Bill Gates to former Prince Andrew, and from Elon Musk to Jeff Bezos to the oft-mentioned President Donald Trump. While being named in the files is not a crime in itself, the accusations are concerning enough that many wonder why prosecutions aren’t forthcoming.

Across Europe, the release triggered a wave of resignations and criminal investigations, with the U.K.’s former ambassador to the U.S. resigning in disgrace from the House of Lords and Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government now teeters on the edge of collapse.

Yet this is an exception, rather than the rule. Calls for justice for the many survivors of Epstein’s abuses have fallen on deaf ears in Washington, D.C, with Trump calling the scandal “a hoax,” while also declaring exoneration from any wrongdoing. Even an apology from Gates and an agreement by Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify on their ties to Epstein are cold comfort, survivors say.

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Lauren Hersh, who works with Epstein survivors as national director and founder of World Without Exploitation, told Salon the release has been “incredibly distressing” to the survivors, allowing their names and photographs to be made public, thus putting them “in harm’s way.”

“What I can say with absolute certainty is that the DOJ did a terrible job when they were disseminating these files,” Hersh said. “The redaction issue has been quite awful.” .....................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2026/02/10/the-epstein-files-release-failed-the-survivors-twice/