# Why aren't the Epstein victims naming names? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [December 24, 2025, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026 "2025-12-24T16:03:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/1 "2025-12-24T16:03:42Z")
(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. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/2 "2025-12-24T16:09:28Z")
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… =/ ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/3 "2025-12-24T16:15:07Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/4 "2025-12-24T16:18:37Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > #metoo came and went and all that happened is that powerful evil men became even more powerful and even more evil… =/ 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. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/5 "2025-12-24T16:34:17Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > 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’s fair. It did have an effect below the elites, which is encouraging. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/6 "2025-12-24T16:41:25Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > They might not even know all of the names. 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. mmm \*(I’m not referring to graphic sexual details) ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/7 "2025-12-24T18:06:00Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/8 "2025-12-24T18:07:10Z")
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. But some of them have named names, which is good. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/9 "2025-12-24T18:08:11Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > 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. I suspect a lot more of them were treated like meat and dumped as soon as Epstein and his friends wanted a younger, fresher victim. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/10 "2025-12-24T18:17:34Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > But some of them have named names, which is good. Do you happen to have a cite for this? (names other than Epstein & Maxwell) mmm ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/11 "2025-12-24T18:22:32Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/12 "2025-12-24T19:18:32Z")
“Suicide”. [![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rfqxk4moeeaputu63rm4tfdc/bafkreidwugk6k643hv77mi2t5yximsgczclrfnoyl6sntxucf3opvvico4@jpeg) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rfqxk4moeeaputu63rm4tfdc/bafkreidwugk6k643hv77mi2t5yximsgczclrfnoyl6sntxucf3opvvico4@jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/13 "2025-12-24T19:27:08Z")
Would they risk a defamation lawsuit if they did so? ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/14 "2025-12-24T19:28:51Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > > > 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. 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. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/15 "2025-12-24T19:38:30Z")
That’s not Virginia Giuffre, who died in Australia, not Oklahoma. She wrote a book that was published after her death. > **[Virginia Giuffre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Giuffre)** > > Virginia Louise Giuffre (/ˈdʒuːfreɪ/, JOO-fray; née Roberts; August 9, 1983 – April 25, 2025) was an American and Australian advocate for survivors of sex trafficking and one of the most prominent accusers of the child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In 2015, Giuffre founded Victims Refuse Silence, a U.S. non-profit organization dedicated to supporting survivors. The organization was relaunched as Speak Out, Act, Reclaim (SOAR) in November 2021. She provided detailed accounts to nume Giuffre pur... ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/16 "2025-12-24T19:48:29Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > That’s not Virginia Giuffre I didn’t say it was. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/17 "2025-12-24T21:28:03Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > I think at least a few of them don’t consider themselves to be victims at all. 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. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/18 "2025-12-24T22:39:20Z")
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! [https://youtu.be/BrwlOV4DbLw?t=680](https://youtu.be/BrwlOV4DbLw?t=680) ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/19 "2025-12-25T00:50:30Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Would they risk a defamation lawsuit if they did so? As just noted, a lot of the victims do name names. But lots never will. If the victim has significant assets, yes, high risk of a lawsuit. If they have low net worth, it cannot be ruled out. This has to be part of the answer to the thread title question. Another is the near certainty of death threats. Another is that some of their friends and family will shun them. Another is that they want to shield their children from the ugliness. They can ask for their identity to be hidden but cannot count on it. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-epstein-victims-naming-names/1026026/20 "2025-12-25T01:38:18Z")
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. mmm