July 17, 2025
Beyond the List: Epstein’s Survivors Deserve the Nation’s Attention
Phoenix, AZ — As public fascination with the so-called “Epstein List” dominates headlines, the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s grooming and trafficking network remain overlooked. The endless speculation about who may have been involved continues to overshadow the real human cost of Epstein’s abuse: the lives shattered, the trauma endured, and the justice still not delivered.
The current media narrative has shifted focus away from the survivors, many of whom were minors at the time of the abuse. Their stories are being overshadowed by sensationalism and political finger-pointing. The emphasis on names and associations has created a spectacle, rather than a path to accountability or healing.
We agree—those who enabled and participated in Epstein’s crimes must be held fully accountable. But don’t let the so-called “client list” distract from the heart of this tragedy: young women and girls were groomed, abused, and exploited by Epstein himself. The focus must remain on the victims, their suffering, and the urgent need for justice, healing, and reform.
Preventing grooming and trafficking begins long before a child becomes a victim. That’s why funding for prevention education and awareness is not optional—it’s essential.
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We must invest in programs that teach parents, schools, and communities how grooming works, what signs to look for, and how to intervene before abuse begins. Grooming doesn’t always look like a stranger in the shadows. Often, it’s someone the child knows, trusts, or even loves. It can happen in any neighborhood, to any family, and to any child regardless of age, gender, race, or background.
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The reality is simple and sobering: any child can be groomed if the people around them don’t know what to watch for. With the right education and awareness, we can stop trafficking before it starts. However, without funding, prevention efforts are limited, and predators are aware of this.
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We are calling on leaders, lawmakers, and communities to prioritize prevention, fund awareness campaigns, and support survivor-led education that empowers families with the tools they need to protect children before it's too late.
Focusing on one list misses the larger reality: trafficking networks are organized, calculated, and far-reaching.
About the Arizona Human Trafficking Survivor Coalition
The Arizona Human Trafficking Survivor Coalition is a statewide alliance working to empower survivors, influence policy, and increase awareness of grooming and trafficking throughout Arizona.
Arizona Human Trafficking Survivor Coalition
www.azhtsurvivorcoalition.org
azhtscleadership@gmail.com
602-321-0074