Because there are many other Jeffrey Epsteins and Ghislaine Maxwells.
"Epstein’s crimes are no different from those my Christian charity sees every day"
"Here’s what Epstein’s crimes can teach us about the scourge of human trafficking around the world today:
1. Child sex traffickers always have more power and wealth than their victims
Epstein was among the world’s richest and most powerful men, mixing with presidents, royals and film stars. But power and wealth are relative. In rural Brazil, traffickers may not afford plane tickets, but they still have money, mobility and connections - while the girls have none.
In one town where we work, the 'Epsteins' were construction workers installing mobile phone masts. They had enough cash to buy gifts, clothes or groceries for poor families, using small financial leverage to groom vulnerable girls.
2. They target vulnerability
Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell recruited girls from unstable or disadvantaged backgrounds - those from low-income families, foster care, or who had run away from home. It is exactly the same pattern we see daily.
Duda told us how problems at home meant she ended up homeless, sleeping in derelict buildings at the age of twelve. “Eventually I went to live with a man,” she said. “I thought he wanted to be my boyfriend. But he would beat me up, did whatever he wanted with me, and held me prisoner.”
3. Victims are often dehumanised and blamed
Documents released by the US House Oversight Committee last month included a text exchange discussing the price of girls as if they were merchandise. “1000$ per girl”, the message read, followed by details of their ages, height, measurements and weight.
For decades, Epstein’s strategy was to avoid accountability by blaming, discrediting and smearing his victims. Maxwell referred to victims as “trash”. During a 2006 grand jury investigation, even prosecutors portrayed the girls as liars and prostitutes.
In Brazil, the girls we work with are often labelled “motorway girls” — a term loaded with shame. When one of our girls, 13-year-old Julia, bravely reported to police that she was being sexually exploited by three men in her town, the reaction from the authorities was scepticism. A social worker even described her as a troublemaker and liar in their report. They preferred to believe the sex traffickers - outwardly respectable local business owners - than a poor girl already seen as disposable.
4. Traffickers often use others - frequently women - to recruit
Epstein relied on a network of women, led by Maxwell, to groom and recruit victims. This helped him gain trust while distancing himself from direct exposure. The girls we work with are often lured into exploitation by other women or girls, promising jobs or assuring them nothing bad will happen.
~ Matt Roper
"Epstein’s crimes are no different from those my Christian charity sees every day"
No comments:
Post a Comment