We all deserve to live, learn, and work in spaces that are free from abuse, harassment, discrimination, force, fraud, and coercion.
High-profile sex offender cases like Jeffrey Epstein, Harvey Weinstein, and Dominique Pelicot have exposed many truths.
Bystanders fail survivors.
Systems fail survivors.
Those sworn to protect and serve fail survivors.
Republicans and Democrats have failed survivors.
These are not crimes of opportunity. They are predatory, premeditated, and continuous acts of violence against women that go unchecked for decades.
Emails in the Epstein files reveal that the offenders felt entitled to women’s bodies AND entitled not to face consequences or backlash such as the #MeToo movement delivered.
The criminal charges and subsequent forced resignations of prominent men and women worldwide show that the #MeToo movement is not going away and there will be consequences to pay for the harm done to survivors.
I am in awe of Brad Edwards, the attorney who has represented the survivors of Epstein for 18 years and worked to expose the depth of corruption, further traumatization and victimization of the survivors.
I am in awe of all the survivors. They have been wronged in so many ways. I hope they can find a way to heal.