Comment: Remember Virginia Giuffre for her courage to speak out

By The Miami Herald Editorial Board

Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein’s most outspoken victims, died by suicide last Friday.

In 2015, Giuffre was the first Epstein victim to go public about the sexual abuse and forced participation in a sex-trafficking ring allegedly led by Epstein and his girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.

Three years later, Giuffre was featured in “Perversion of Justice,” a Miami Herald series that revealed how Epstein’s lawyers collaborated with the Justice Department to minimize the severity of his crimes, resulting in an 18-month jail sentence.

Giuffre was instrumental in opening the case against Epstein and Maxwell. And last week, she paid the ultimate price.

Giuffre will be remembered not only as Epstein’s victim but also as someone who opened the door for other sexual abuse victims to come forward. She showed courage in speaking out and that victims of sexual abuse do not have to remain silent.

As a result of Giuffre and others coming forward, both Epstein and Maxwell were arrested. Epstein would later be found dead in his cell while awaiting trial. His death was ruled a suicide. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for sex trafficking and other charges. She is serving a 20-year sentence in a Florida prison.

Along with the other Epstein victims, Giuffre fought to expose everyone involved in Epstein’s sex trafficking ring. Thanks to her efforts, Giuffre changed the way society and the criminal justice system treat victims of sex crimes, specifically children.

She was committed to helping other survivors through the creation of her nonprofit, Speak Out, Act, Reclaim (SOAR), which empowers survivors to reclaim their stories and bring an end to sex trafficking.

Her legacy should be the trail she blazed to hold predators accountable and victims are believed. Giuffre made the world an easier place for victims of abuse to speak up because she spoke first.

The courage exhibited by Giuffre extends beyond the Epstein case. In 2021, she sued Prince Andrew, Duke of York, for sexually assaulting her after Epstein and Maxwell forced her to have sex with him.

Giuffre’s case against Prince Andrew, which resulted in a settlement, showed she was willing to take on institutions and powerful people to ensure justice. Shortly before the lawsuit, Andrew was stripped of his military titles, royal patronages, and the use of the title His Royal Highness.

Regardless of status or wealth no one is above the law nor should they be shielded from accountability.

Since coming forward, there have been attempts to discredit her, question her motives, attack her character and minimize her trauma. For survivors of sexual abuse, these tactics are familiar. Nevertheless, Giuffre didn’t back down and recognized the importance of her voice.

The tragic ending to Giuffre’s life serves as a sobering reminder that despite her strength and resilience, she faced struggles no one else knew about.

Giuffre should be remembered for the work she did to bring justice for her and the other Epstein victims. Her courageous legacy to hold people accountable will be remembered for years to come.