
Survivors victimized by women face many of the same traumatic effects of those abused by men. The statement “the charges against Ghislaine Maxwell are for things that Jeffrey Epstein did” also denies any harm or impact of Maxwell’s alleged actions. They have attempted to shame the accusers based on histories of substance use and their hesitance to report when the abuse first appeared. Her defense seeks to discredit the victims, accusing them at best of faulty memories, and at worst of fabricating stories for publicity or financial benefit. But Maxwell, accused of grooming, trafficking, and abusing young girls, has taken the same defense strategy as so many other powerful men in similar cases.
