STEPHEN COHEN: Fifty years later — How things change and how they stay the same

The treatment of Epstein's victims, and the inability and unwillingness to stop those ongoing felonies, reveal many of the problems in our society, which all too often provides no justice except to those who can afford to pay for it, and no concern for victims, especially sexual assault victims. My work and life has exposed me to a wide variety of injustices and horrors. I understand, as well as most men can, the abuses women may suffer because of their sex. I worked years ago to help change the rape statute in New York so it no longer required corroboration of the victim’s story (then the only statute in the penal code which required this because a woman’s testimony alone was considered untrustworthy and men were terrified that a scorned girlfriend would falsely accuse them). That said, I was astounded when I recently read that it is estimated that Epstein’s victims probably total more than 1,000 young women. My first thought was how it was possible that during all the years of this wholesale prostitution ring, after a conviction in Florida and apparently common knowledge in New York and among the perpetrators, this open criminal activity was accepted and utilized and condoned by the violators and their peers.

Epstein’s victims probably total more than 1,000 young women.

Note: The author reflects on systemic failures to protect victims and recalls prior efforts to reform rape statutes in New York, underscoring long-standing concerns about gender-based violence and justice access.

The Berkshire Edge — 2025-11-21

More News