Control, threats, disfiguring surgery: My life inside Jeffrey Epstein's 'cult'

July 18, 2026

Anya, a former model from Russia, describes how Jeffrey Epstein recruited and controlled her and approximately a dozen other women who served as his "assistants" in New York apartments he owned. After being introduced to Epstein through a Paris modeling scout, she endured years of sexual abuse, financial control, psychological manipulation, and forced cosmetic surgery that left her disfigured. Epstein specifically targeted adult women from Eastern Europe after his 2008 conviction for abusing a teenage girl, exploiting their vulnerabilities by isolating them from support systems and maintaining total control over their lives.

Who is affected

Anya (pseudonym) and approximately a dozen other women who worked as Epstein's "assistants"
Women from Russia and Eastern Europe specifically targeted by Epstein
Sarah Kellen, another former assistant who testified before the US House Oversight Committee
Mark Epstein, Jeffrey Epstein's brother
Daniel Siad, the modeling scout who allegedly introduced Anya to Epstein

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are stated in the article.

Why it matters

This account reveals the sophisticated coercive control mechanisms Epstein used to maintain power over adult victims for extended periods, challenging common misconceptions that only children are susceptible to grooming. The testimony provides rare insight into how Epstein operated his network of abuse after his 2008 conviction, demonstrating how predators can exploit vulnerabilities, isolate victims from support systems, and use financial and psychological manipulation to maintain control. Understanding these tactics is significant for identifying and preventing similar abuse patterns.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC