{"id":79833,"date":"2025-09-04T13:15:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T17:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/?p=79833"},"modified":"2025-09-04T13:15:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T17:15:15","slug":"epstein-survivors-speak-out-we-are-real-human-beings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/epstein-survivors-speak-out-we-are-real-human-beings\/","title":{"rendered":"Epstein Survivors Speak Out: \u2018We Are Real Human Beings\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"691\" src=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Epstein-Files-Trump-Transparency-Survivors-Speak-Out-1024x691.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-79834\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Epstein-Files-Trump-Transparency-Survivors-Speak-Out-1024x691.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Epstein-Files-Trump-Transparency-Survivors-Speak-Out-525x354.jpg 525w, https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Epstein-Files-Trump-Transparency-Survivors-Speak-Out-768x518.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Epstein-Files-Trump-Transparency-Survivors-Speak-Out-150x101.jpg 150w, https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Epstein-Files-Trump-Transparency-Survivors-Speak-Out-89x60.jpg 89w, https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Epstein-Files-Trump-Transparency-Survivors-Speak-Out.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Haley Robsen (pictured) was one of several survivors of Jeffrey Epstein\u2019s crimes who spoke publicly about the need for transparency regarding the Epstein investigation. (Credit: <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=g90CyzAajHQ\"><em>YouTube<\/em><\/a><em>)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>A group of <a href=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/as-window-closes-a-rush-of-sex-abuse-suits-against-moguls-mayors\/\">sexual assault<\/a> survivors joined a pair of U.S. House members to demand transparency from <a href=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/the-trump-administrations-ongoing-effort-to-literally-erase-women\/\">President Donald Trump<\/a> and the U.S. Justice Department around the latter\u2019s investigation into deceased financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Led by Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, the cohort stood outside of the U.S. Capitol building Wednesday afternoon to call for a release of the Justice Department\u2019s full records \u2013 beyond the pages released Tuesday, many of which had <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/politics\/many-of-the-epstein-case-files-that-were-just-released-by-a-house-committee-were-already-public\">already been made public<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Today \u2026 we&#8217;re united in restoring trust in government. We&#8217;re here not as partisans, we&#8217;re here as patriots,&#8221; Khanna said at the press gathering.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"block_9299f0f22764585f0d02e5625ff7bf19\" class=\"wp-block related-post alignwide\">\n      <div class=\"wrap\">\n    <div class=\"section-title\">\n      <h4>Related<\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"post-wrap\">\n              <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/mariska-hargitay-opens-up-about-her-own-sexual-assault-for-the-first-time\/\" class=\"post-image-link\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_9782-150x150.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_9782-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_9782-96x96.jpeg 96w, https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_9782-84x84.jpeg 84w, https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_9782-45x45.jpeg 45w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\n          <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"entry-text\">\n          <h3 class=\"post-title\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/mariska-hargitay-opens-up-about-her-own-sexual-assault-for-the-first-time\/\">\n              Mariska Hargitay Opens Up About Her Own Sexual Assault For The First Time\n            <\/a>\n          <\/h3>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n<p>She and Massie are going about their pursuit for the files through atypical means: By filing a discharge petition, which would force a Congressional vote on the release of information if they can get 218 signatures from fellow House members. In a show of bipartisan support, Republican Reps. Marjorie Taylor Green, Lauren Boebert and Nancy Mace have already signed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cohort of survivors who spoke was bipartisan, too \u2013 Haley Robsen, one of several women who took to the podium, identified herself as a registered Republican while addressing the public, adding, \u201cnot that that matters, because this is not political.\u201d She called on Trump to remember the personhood of all of the survivors. &#8220;We are real human beings. This is real trauma.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Epstein, who died by suicide in August 2019, <a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/US\/jeffrey-epstein-key-victims-attorney\/story?id=123805543\">victimized hundreds<\/a> of girls and women over the course of decades. British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime associate of Epstein\u2019s, was convicted for her involvement in the mass trafficking and assault in 2021. The two are known to have relationships with many high-profile folks \u2013 from Trump himself, to British royal Prince Andrew and former President Bill Clinton \u2013 making Epstein&#8217;s client list of particular public interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In response to the demonstration, Trump <a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/Politics\/trump-calls-epstein-files-irrelevant-push-release-gains\/story?id=125225706\">dismissed the collective call<\/a> for openness as a \u201cDemocrat hoax that never ends.\u201d He continued, while speaking to members of the press from the Oval Office: \u201cThey&#8217;re trying to get people to talk about something that&#8217;s totally irrelevant to the success that we&#8217;ve had as a nation since I&#8217;ve been president.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The survivors have their own interpretation of such stonewalling. &#8220;The only motive for opposing this would be to conceal wrongdoing,&#8221; said Anouska De Georgiou, one of those gathered before the press on Wednesday.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She then added, &#8220;You have a choice: Stand with the truth \u2013 or with the lies that have protected predators for decades.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"block_2a4888943e3eace12f3567e786c2e46c\" class=\"wp-block related-post alignwide\">\n      <div class=\"wrap\">\n    <div class=\"section-title\">\n      <h4>Related<\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"post-wrap\">\n              <div class=\"thumbnail\">\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/study-over-64000-rape-related-pregnancies-occurred-in-states-with-abortion-bans\/\" class=\"post-image-link\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/StockSnap_VAJQVU6TXL-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"rape sexual assault abortion access\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/StockSnap_VAJQVU6TXL-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/StockSnap_VAJQVU6TXL-96x96.jpg 96w, https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/StockSnap_VAJQVU6TXL-84x84.jpg 84w, https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/StockSnap_VAJQVU6TXL-45x45.jpg 45w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\n          <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"entry-text\">\n          <h3 class=\"post-title\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/study-over-64000-rape-related-pregnancies-occurred-in-states-with-abortion-bans\/\">\n              Study: Over 64,000 Rape-Related Pregnancies Occurred in States With Abortion Bans\n            <\/a>\n          <\/h3>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Women accusing the infamous sex predator of assault took to the U.S. Capitol to demand the release of investigative files \u2013 in particular, Epstein&#8217;s client list.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":79834,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"autoblue_enabled":true,"autoblue_custom_message":"Several survivors of Jeffrey Epstein\u2019s crimes spoke publicly about the need for transparency regarding the Epstein 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