As I write this, the Senate — following the House of Representatives — has just voted to release the Epstein files. Many have rejoiced at this decision, as they should, especially the victims of these horrific events. Yet I fear that the sense of victory may soon give way to disappointment, and in more ways than one.
Who doesn’t remember the endless headlines about Epstein? The interview with Virginia Giuffre, or the surreal spectacle of Prince Andrew — now Andrew Mountbatten — insisting he was incapable of sweating during the period when the Epstein scandal unfolded. Apparently, he manages just fine these days.
We were collectively outraged, and rightly so. Now, after years of waiting, the files are finally being released. But true to my nature, I can’t help wondering: will we find the full truth in these documents, or have certain “uncomfortable” names been carefully edited out? The delay itself raises questions. With so many powerful figures rumored to be entangled in Epstein’s circle, it’s hard not to suspect a tug-of-war over whose names appear.
The deeper problem is trust. In an age of misinformation, biased reporting, and political spin, who can we rely on to verify the authenticity of what’s presented? News is tainted by affiliations, checks and balances are weak, and fake stories circulate freely. Against that backdrop, how can we be sure the Epstein files are complete, unaltered, and truthful?
Even if we set aside conspiracy, will the files deliver what people hope for? From a sensationalist angle — whose names appear, what did they do — or from a legal one — can convictions follow — disappointment seems inevitable once the headlines fade.
What troubles me most is not the public’s letdown, but the victims themselves. Victims of Epstein, yes, but also the countless others caught in the global web of trafficking and coercion. On July 30, 2025, the UN marked World Day Against Trafficking in Persons by reporting over 200,000 documented cases between 2020 and 2023, with the true number believed to be far higher due to underreporting. According to the UNODC Global Report on Human Trafficking, 79% of trafficking involves sexual exploitation, predominantly of women and children. Nearly 20% of victims are children, with some regions — such as parts of West Africa — reporting figures as high as 100%.
Despite international protocols, trafficking remains a stubborn trade. It demands stronger laws, genuine enforcement, and unwavering commitment. Yet the TIP Report on Global Anti-Trafficking Gaps, published by the International Association of Women Judges, reveals that only one in ten trafficking cases brought to court results in conviction. Weak investigations, poor cross-border cooperation, and inadequate victim protection all contribute to this failure. If these numbers foreshadow what the Epstein files will yield, celebration may be premature.
Perhaps I am too grim. I hope I am. I hope the victims’ voices — whether tied to Epstein or to other predators — will be heard, honored, and felt. Their suffering must not be overshadowed by the sensationalism of “who did what.” Accountability matters, but it must extend beyond headlines. Naming and shaming is not justice. Justice requires courts, convictions, and systems strong enough to protect the vulnerable.
As a global society, we prove our solidarity with victims only when we prosecute predators, enforce laws, and invest in professional, adequate systems of justice. Only then can we stand together and say: we do not accept this behavior toward women and children. Only then can we send a message strong enough to deter those who would exploit.
The coming weeks will be a test — of our humanity, of our collective resolve. Fingers crossed we get this one right, and do not disappoint ourselves.
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RosieGlobal 
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