Annie Farmer, one of more than a dozen survivors of the Jeffrey Epstein case, attended the State of the Union on the evening of February 25, carrying a clear message: “We are not disappearing.” Her appearance at the Capitol aimed to affirm that victims like her are still persistently seeking truth and justice.
Background and the Survivors' Call
Ms. Farmer and her sister Maria Farmer previously accused Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell of abuse during the 1990s. Notably, Annie Farmer testified publicly at Maxwell's trial in 2021, detailing how she was violated by Maxwell when she was just 16 years old at Epstein's ranch in New Mexico.
Maria Farmer stated she had reported suspicions of abuse and child pornography to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as early as 1996, but did not receive an appropriate response. Last May, she filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, and the FBI, alleging negligence and severe emotional distress.
At the Capitol, Annie Farmer emphasized that their presence serves as a reminder that the transparency process is not yet complete. She called for the release of all remaining files related to Epstein because, according to Lauren Hersh, co-founder of the anti-trafficking coalition World Without Exploitation, the Department of Justice said there are about 6 million documents, but only nearly half have been released.
Continuing the Fight for Accountability
Advocacy groups argue that many important investigative leads in the files have not been fully examined, and they want authorities to continue clarifying the responsibilities of the individuals involved. In recent days, some international figures mentioned in the Epstein documents have faced investigations or arrests abroad, while in the U.S., reactions have mainly occurred in the form of resignations and public apologies.
Annie Farmer asserted that the story is not over and that survivors will continue to pursue accountability from those involved. Information in the article was compiled from the California Post, federal court records, and statements by Annie Farmer and Lauren Hersh.
