Joanna Harrison never wanted to speak about the abuse she faced at the hands of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Like many survivors, she says Epstein's assault filled her with shame and embarrassment. But after her name was unintentionally made public in the release of millions of files by the US government, she felt she had to speak out.
It gets to a point where you're being suffocated and you need to breathe, and I feel this is my way of trying to breathe, Harrison said.
BBC Newsnight brought Harrison and four other Epstein survivors together for the first time in the same room. During the hours-long discussion that followed, there were supportive gestures and tears as they studied photos of themselves from the time when they first met Epstein.
In the wide-ranging interview, the survivors told their stories of grief and anger. Some revisited Epstein's infamous private island, Little St James, while others recounted 'eerie' moments at his New Mexico ranch.
They expressed doubts that powerful figures associated with Epstein were unaware of his actions.
Harrison was one of the victims whose identity was revealed in documents related to Epstein's investigations. She spoke of her worry upon seeing her abuser's face continuously in the media, claiming, It's not normal to see your abuser's face every day for six years on TV.
Chauntae Davies shared never-before-seen images from her travels with Epstein, including interactions with celebrities like Bill Clinton and Kevin Spacey, along with distressing memories of abuse. Davies described Epstein's private New Mexico ranch as having a cold, dark, eerie feeling, where many assaults occurred.
Reflecting on the lasting impact of their experiences, Harrison noted, I don't smile the same way now.
The survivors questioned the circumstances of Epstein's death, expressing skepticism about his suicide, and called for accountability from those complicit in his crimes.
It gets to a point where you're being suffocated and you need to breathe, and I feel this is my way of trying to breathe, Harrison said.
BBC Newsnight brought Harrison and four other Epstein survivors together for the first time in the same room. During the hours-long discussion that followed, there were supportive gestures and tears as they studied photos of themselves from the time when they first met Epstein.
In the wide-ranging interview, the survivors told their stories of grief and anger. Some revisited Epstein's infamous private island, Little St James, while others recounted 'eerie' moments at his New Mexico ranch.
They expressed doubts that powerful figures associated with Epstein were unaware of his actions.
Harrison was one of the victims whose identity was revealed in documents related to Epstein's investigations. She spoke of her worry upon seeing her abuser's face continuously in the media, claiming, It's not normal to see your abuser's face every day for six years on TV.
Chauntae Davies shared never-before-seen images from her travels with Epstein, including interactions with celebrities like Bill Clinton and Kevin Spacey, along with distressing memories of abuse. Davies described Epstein's private New Mexico ranch as having a cold, dark, eerie feeling, where many assaults occurred.
Reflecting on the lasting impact of their experiences, Harrison noted, I don't smile the same way now.
The survivors questioned the circumstances of Epstein's death, expressing skepticism about his suicide, and called for accountability from those complicit in his crimes.
