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'He liked the fear in our eyes,' Epstein survivors tell BBC

March 25, 2026

Five survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse participated in their first collective interview with BBC Newsnight, sharing their experiences and calling for further investigation into powerful figures who associated with the convicted sex offender. The women, including Joanna Harrison who was recently unintentionally identified in released government documents, recounted assaults that occurred at various Epstein properties, particularly his New Mexico ranch which they described as having a dark, ominous atmosphere. The survivors shared photographs and journals documenting their time with Epstein, including images from humanitarian trips with high-profile individuals like Bill Clinton and Kevin Spacey, though they emphasized that merely appearing in Epstein-related documents doesn't imply wrongdoing.

Who is affected

  • Joanna Harrison (survivor whose name was unintentionally made public)
  • Chauntae Davies (trained massage therapist and survivor)
  • Lisa Phillips (fashion model and survivor)
  • Jena-Lisa Jones (met Epstein at age 14)
  • Wendy Pesante (met Epstein at age 14)
  • An anonymous friend of Lisa Phillips who allegedly had unwanted sexual contact
  • Jeffrey Epstein's co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell (mentioned in photographs)
  • Bill Clinton, Kevin Spacey, Sarah Ferguson, and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (named as associates, though appearing in documents does not imply wrongdoing)

What action is being taken

  • The US state of New Mexico has re-opened a criminal probe into Epstein's Zorro Ranch
  • Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is under investigation for suspicion of misconduct in public office related to sharing confidential information with Epstein while serving as a UK trade envoy
  • Lisa Phillips is calling on UK police to speak with her about what she knows regarding her friend's alleged assault

Why it matters

  • This matters because it provides direct testimony from multiple survivors about systemic sexual abuse by a well-connected predator, highlighting the lasting trauma experienced by victims who met Epstein as teenagers and young adults. The survivors' accounts raise questions about what powerful associates in Epstein's circle may have known about his criminal activities and whether they could have intervened. The discussion underscores ongoing concerns about justice for survivors, particularly given Epstein's death before trial, and demonstrates the re-traumatization victims experience when their identities are inadvertently exposed in public document releases. Their collective testimony may provide crucial evidence for ongoing investigations into Epstein's properties and operations.

What's next

  • UK users can watch the full interview on Newsnight on BBC Two at 22:30 GMT and later on BBC iPlayer
  • The New Mexico criminal probe into Zorro Ranch is ongoing
  • Lisa Phillips has requested UK police interview her about her friend's alleged assault

Read full article from source: BBC