One of the women who was part of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's circle for years has spoken out in detail for the first time about the abuse she says she endured over the years. She described Epstein's system of manipulation as a "cult" from which it was almost impossible to escape.
The woman, who spoke to the BBC under the pseudonym Anya to protect her identity, said that only after Epstein's death in 2019 was she able to leave that life, which, according to her, was characterized by psychological control, sexual abuse and complete dependence on him.
"I'm still trying to accept the fact that I was abused for years. I wasn't chained or locked in a basement. The handcuffs were less visible, but they were there," Anya said.
According to her, Epstein himself described his operation as a "cult" and himself as its leader. She claims that she lived with about ten other young women in apartments financed by him, worked for him 24 hours a day and was constantly exposed to sexual abuse.
Anya says Epstein lured her with promises of a successful modeling career. After leaving Russia to work in the fashion industry and working with well-known fashion houses, she was introduced to Epstein as someone with extensive connections in the industry. She now believes she was carefully targeted from the start.
"It was a perfectly organized trap," she said, adding that the entire process was planned to gain her trust.
She says that for months, Epstein convinced her to work on her appearance, promised her meetings with important figures in the fashion world and asked for photos, including nude photos, while at the same time destroying her self-confidence by telling her she wasn't good enough.
According to her, the first sexual assault occurred while Epstein was serving a prison sentence in Florida. Later, other women in his circle told her that he was exaggerating the situation, which made her doubt her own perception of what had happened.
Over time, she became completely financially and physically dependent on Epstein. She had no bank account, could not rent an apartment, and he controlled her movements, contacts with other people, and even access to healthcare.
Anya claims that Epstein used various methods to keep the women under control. He threatened them with compromising photos and videos, forced them to write thank-you letters, and turned them against each other to break down trust between them.
One of the most difficult moments, according to her, was when he convinced her to remove a tattoo surgically by cutting the skin, instead of laser treatment, which has left visible scars even today.
She says that her greatest shame is the fact that, under pressure, she also participated in the behavior of other young girls.
"He created an entire ecosystem of abuse that served only him," Anya said, adding that she decided to speak out publicly to help other women recognize and leave abusive relationships. /Telegraph/
