(Maybe this question belongs elsewhere, I wasn’t sure where to place it)
There are dozens of Epstein victims who are very publicly (and bravely and rightfully) calling for the release of all the files. Why are they not publicly naming the names of those who abused them?
I am not placing any blame on the victims; I’m sure there must be a reason, I just cannot figure out what it is.
I mean, how did that work out for all the previous victims of sexual assault by powerful people? They just got dragged through the media and courts and then ruthlessly harassed by half the population. #metoo came and went and all that happened is that powerful evil men became even more powerful and even more evil… =/
They might not even know all of the names. Sure, a lot of the abusers were people that folks would have heard of, but just because you see their names in headlines doesn’t mean that you’d know them by sight. Especially not teens, who mostly don’t follow political and financial news.
I really don’t think that’s true. Our culture has had a real shift for the better in how we treat accusations of sexual assault.
Trump’s base might not want to hold him accountable, but if his fans try to act like he does in their workplace, then in most corporations in America, they will promptly be fired. That has not always been true.
I hadn’t thought of this. Yeah, this may be part of the reason.
But not just names, but details* as well. Each victim could tell their story, at least what they can recall. There would certainly be some corroboration, some similar shared experiences, that would bring into the light what they endured.
I mean, they are all bravely facing the world, unflinching in their determination to be heard. I would expect statements such as “I was taken to the island three times under the guise of furthering my modeling career…” or “They told me that I had to disrobe and receive a massage before they could begin the photo shoot…” and.“They told me that exact same thing…”
I dunno, it just seems that they want their stories told; I can’t figure out why they’re not telling them.
Based on one of the letters from a model that was in the Epstein birthday tribute (where Trump included his crude drawing), I think at least a few of them don’t consider themselves to be victims at all. They lived on a tropical island, met rich and famous people, made connections and as a result were able to go places and do things that they never would have otherwise been able to do. Oh, and along the way they jacked some rich dudes off, for which they were handsomely rewarded (certainly much more so than if they had been doing the same for appropriate-aged boyfriends). If telling those stories endangers the privileged position they find themselves in now, I can see why they would choose to keep quiet about it.
They were teenagers being abused decades ago. Also a lot of rich and powerful people aren’t really celebrities so they wouldn’t even know the name of the person abusing them.
Off the top of my head, there is Katie Johnson (a pseudonym) who claims Trump raped her at the age of 13, she dropped a lawsuit after being harassed. Also, Virginia Giuffre named Prince Andrew as one of her abusers and also Alan Dershowitz as another, she committed suicide.
This seems like a rather romanticized version of their likely experiences, especially when based on one letter. And naïve, if you think hand jobs are all that were involved.
Maybe, but those wouldn’t be included in the group of women who DO consider themselves to be victims and are calling for a release of the names. It just means the group of victimized girls/women is larger than the vocal contingent.
Michael Popok discusses this exact question with survivor Lisa Phillips. They’re working on a list, just in case the government doesn’t come clean. They have to coordinate stories from 1200 survivors. TWELVE HUNDRED!
My OP question is asked in relation to those who are already publicly speaking out. They have done the hardest part, the first step - they have made themselves public.
In doing so, haven’t these women already exposed themselves to death threats?
Haven’t they already put themselves at risk for being shunned?
Have they shielded their children from the ugliness?
Again, they have already done the hard part. It seem natural that they would wish to follow through with specifics (even without naming names). Especially within the strength of their group.