Distraction Redaction

 Yes, it’s true. I know how to spend my free time. I have begun reading through the Epstein files that have been released and, obviously, I already have some thoughts.

My first thought is, “Those poor girls!” 

Then I start to wonder why it isn’t the first thought of everyone. Why is it that the release of these files hasn’t been another stark warning. Women can be treated like commodities and some people do horrendous things to younger, poorer, less powerful people (particularly women and girls) and those of us who stand by, shrug and say, “Yeah but..” need to start to stand up and say that it’s not right. 

I think that we are complicit and that is uncomfortable. How many years did we laugh at ‘Randy Andy’ newspaper headlines? Celebrate his relationships with young models? Imply that Harvey Weinstein’s casting couch was the best way to get into acting? We never said that it wasn’t right. We hung on every tabloid word, waited for the next instalment, delighted in every salacious detail. 

I don’t think the Epstein files that have been released by the DOJ are a huge cover up, although, some of the press conferences and other releases by Pam Bondi don’t smell good. 

These files are the paper trail that gave enough evidence to prosecute Epstein and Maxwell. There may be more work the DOJ needs to do to be able to get justice for the victims with regards to their abusers but the law is clunky and difficult and the rights of victims and the accused need to be treated carefully. 

I hope that the release of these files will encourage us to put pressure on the authorities to seek prosecutions. 

One file, I came across was an email to an FBI agent from another listing names of men they wanted to do further checks on. It said, “Take these names and build derogatory on them.” That means do all the background checks for any negative associations. Trump was at the top of that list, along with Weinstein and Prince Andrew. One was specifically mentioned for being present when a girl was raped and another for their involvement in a Ponzi Scheme.

Now, this is the thing that is getting most people het up. It’s not the sexual abuse (although that’s a way of getting interest because we all still love a salacious detail) It’s the abuse of power and money. The Royal formally known as Prince has abused his privilege - we can’t stand that! Peter Mandelson has abused the trust the government placed in him to make a personal fortune. How very dare he. But do we think powerful men have stopped trading in girls for their perverted sexual pleasure, favours and kick backs?. Do we honestly believe that poor kids won’t fall for the offer of nice things they could only dream of? No. And while we’re all nudging and winking at each other nothing will ever change. The girl-traders continue to set up rooms with unbelievable details such as dentist chairs and masks on the wall, so the victims seem unreliable narrators. 

I also have thoughts about the redactions. These files were never meant for public viewing and if the prosecution and detectives had done their job properly no one would ask to see them. But the victims thought there was more we needed to know. The DOJ have continued to be bad at their job, redacting names that should be left in and failing to protect victims. However, focusing on the redactions is a distraction. It’s another thing that takes us away from remembering it’s about those poor girls.