For many survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, the past has never truly gone away. As the Justice Department prepares to release long-awaited files detailing Epstein’s crimes, survivors say the anticipation alone has been deeply triggering.
When a batch of photos from Epstein’s Gmail and laptop was made public last week, Danielle Bensky froze. One image showed Epstein in his office — a room that held painful memories. She remembered the large mahogany desk, a picture frame, and even a taxidermied tiger that Epstein once kept there.
Sharlene Rochard had a similar reaction when seeing photos of Epstein’s private Caribbean island. Certain details didn’t match her memory — a table was in the wrong place — but the room instantly transported her back to the abuse she endured years ago.
For Jess Michaels, Epstein’s infamous 50th birthday book triggered a disturbing flashback. The book included drawings of women massaging Epstein, which reminded her of comments he made decades ago. She now recognizes those moments as part of a pattern of grooming.
Waiting in the Dark
Bensky, Rochard, and Michaels are just a few of the hundreds of women awaiting the DOJ’s release of the “Epstein files,” mandated by a law signed last month. The files are expected to be far more comprehensive than any documents previously made public.
But survivors say they have received little communication from the DOJ about the release. They do not know when the files will appear, what will be included, or how the government plans to protect sensitive information.
“We’re going at this in the dark,” Bensky said. “We don’t know what time they’re dropping, or what’s in them. It’s hard.”
Mental health experts warn that this uncertainty can be profoundly destabilizing. Dr. Suzan Song, a psychiatrist advising the federal government on anti-trafficking, explained that anticipation itself can be triggering. Trauma is stored in the brain as sensory and emotional fragments, not chronological memories, which means even subtle reminders can evoke intense distress.
Validation Amid Pain
Not all reactions are purely traumatic. For some survivors, the files may provide long-sought validation. Rochard remembered a phone inside Epstein’s island home, which others denied seeing. When photos confirmed it existed, she felt vindicated.
“My memory was correct,” she said. “That was validating. But other images are completely traumatizing.”
Survivors emphasize the importance of protecting victim identities while exposing the full scope of Epstein’s crimes. “Names of survivors must be redacted,” said Liz Stein. “But we want to see the perpetrators named.”
Attorneys representing survivors report inconsistent outreach from the DOJ, with some promised calls about redactions never happening. They stress that the government must explain if any files are withheld and why
A Case That Shook the World
Epstein’s crimes exposed not just a single predator but systemic failures. His connections to powerful figures and decades-long evasion of accountability have fueled public outrage. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. Previously, he served just 13 months for state prostitution charges involving underage girls, under a controversial non-prosecution agreement.
For survivors like Michaels, the lack of accountability underscores the cost of systemic failure. “Predators succeed because systems fail,” she said.
As the DOJ file release approaches, survivors know it’s only the beginning of a long journey. “It’s taken nearly 30 years to get here,” Rochard said. “Our hope is the public will finally see we were telling the truth all along.”
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