Every now and again Jeffrey Epstein’s story will reveal itself in my timeline. I often read with curiosity. Will this be a unique angle to the story we’ve already heard over and over?
I agree with most of the world. Jeffrey Epstein was horrible. But what about the girls? No one talks about the behavior, the mindspace of the girls who actively invited other girls into a sex ring for money?
Before I say anything further, let me assure you this is not about victim-blaming. However, this ring could not have grown and contented to grow without a great number of willing participants, and those were young girls.
Now I’m speaking from experience. When I was a child and my father passed away I was molested. Yes my mother was aware and no, I was never asked to recruit others. Still, I instinctively wanted to protect my friends. So fewer and fewer were invited over because I feared…no. I knew they’d get the looks or random touches I had to endure. Even for money, the thought of sharing that experience and even minimizing it to others would never have crossed my mind. I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself.
Which is why the Jeffrey Epstein girls stay on my mind. We need to know their stories. And more, we need to know what predators saw in them that gave them confidence they could pull this off as long and as far-reaching as they did.
We are used to telling our children to look out for weird men in vans and strangers. but we need to look closer to home. And we cannot just wait and hope this doesn’t reach our own homes and communities. Yes, these girls were victimized, but they also participated in the victimization of others. They perpetuated it.
Hard conversation to have. Click here for tips to keep your cool on social during hot debates.