Cathryn Lavery, PhD, Professor and Chair of Criminal Justice and Security at Pace University, has published an op-ed in The Hill addressing the experiences of Jeffrey Epstein’s survivors and broader issues within the criminal justice system regarding victims.
Lavery’s article points to systemic failures that allowed exploitation to continue unchecked. She stresses the need for reforms that better protect and support survivors of trafficking and sexual violence. According to Lavery, “when survivors of Epstein step forward, it’s not merely a personal act, but also a political one that challenges entrenched power, demanding accountability from institutions that too often silence or dismiss victims.”
She argues that media coverage should move beyond short-term headlines and lead to real change. Lavery calls for law enforcement training in trauma-informed practices, courtroom protections such as shield laws and confidential testimony, long-term resources like stable housing, mental health care, job training for survivors, and greater accountability from institutions with power.
