Epstein Victims Deserve Justice, Not Spotlight on Elites

Journalist Amy Wallace calls for focus on survivors, not celebrity names, in Epstein case

Feb. 20, 2026 at 9:35pm

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In an opinion piece, journalist Amy Wallace argues that the focus in the Jeffrey Epstein case has been too much on the boldface names involved rather than the victims of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking ring. Wallace, who co-wrote a memoir with survivor Virginia Roberts Giuffre, says the heart of this "vile conspiracy" has been pushed into the background, and that basic accountability and justice remain out of reach until the full Epstein files are released and the co-conspirators are rigorously interrogated.

Why it matters

The Epstein case exposed a vast network of abuse and exploitation of underage girls, but the suffering of the victims has been overshadowed by the celebrity connections. Maintaining focus on the victims and ensuring full transparency and accountability is crucial for achieving justice.

The details

Wallace describes the harrowing experiences of one of Epstein's victims, a 14-year-old girl who was lured to his Palm Beach mansion, ordered to undress, and sexually abused. This was one of over 30 underage victims interviewed by Florida investigators in 2005-2006, leading to Epstein's first arrest. Wallace worked with survivor Virginia Roberts Giuffre on her memoir, and says Giuffre's story is just one example of the "brutal reality" faced by girls trapped in Epstein's web. Despite valiant efforts by survivors, the heart of this conspiracy has been pushed into the background, with the spotlight instead on boldface names associated with Epstein.

  • In 1996, a 14-year-old girl named Annie Farmer was abused by Epstein and Maxwell at Epstein's New Mexico ranch.
  • In 2005 and 2006, Florida investigators interviewed over 30 underage victims, leading to Epstein's first arrest and conviction as a sex offender.
  • In April 2022, survivor Virginia Roberts Giuffre died by suicide.

The players

Virginia Roberts Giuffre

A survivor of Epstein and Maxwell's sex trafficking ring, who co-wrote a memoir with journalist Amy Wallace.

Annie Farmer

A 14-year-old girl who was abused by Epstein and Maxwell at Epstein's New Mexico ranch in 1996.

Jeffrey Epstein

The convicted sex offender at the center of a vast sex trafficking conspiracy involving underage girls.

Ghislaine Maxwell

Epstein's associate who was convicted of sex trafficking and other charges related to the abuse of underage girls.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

The former prince who was arrested in England on suspicion of misconduct related to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

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What they’re saying

“Imagine you're a 14-year-old girl, recruited by an older female, who is being led into an upstairs room in Epstein's Palm Beach, Fla., mansion. The man you've been told to call 'Jeff' enters wearing only a towel and tells you to take off your clothes. You are afraid. Trapped. So you eventually strip down to your underwear. He orders you to do things to him. He masturbates. He gives you $300 and tells you to leave your phone number so he can summon you again.”

— Amy Wallace, Journalist and author

What’s next

The Department of Justice must release the remaining 2.5 million pages in the Epstein files, with only the survivors' names redacted. Law enforcement must also rigorously interrogate the men and women who exchanged chummy emails with Epstein and played in his "hideous sandbox".

The takeaway

By maintaining focus on the victims and ensuring full transparency and accountability, we can work towards achieving justice for the scores of girls and young women who were abused by Epstein, Maxwell, and their co-conspirators. The suffering of these victims must not be overshadowed by the celebrity connections.