WASHINGTON, DC (September 3, 2025) – The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) is calling for transparency and accountability in the Jeffrey Epstein/Ghislane Maxwell case. A press conference and a rally were held in front of the U.S. Capitol today where survivors and a bipartisan group of congressional leaders urged details to be released about this sex trafficking network.
NCOSE Survivor Services Coordinator Teresa J. Helm, an Epstein/Maxwell survivor, spoke during the rally saying, “Systems built with the root of corruption, violence, and deceit always crumble. That time is coming. This is a call to action. Now is the time to sift through and get rid of the perpetrators and bad actors. The world is watching. And let’s stop calling it an Epstein client list. Let’s call it what it actually is – it’s Epstein’s sex buyer list.”
NCOSE President and CEO Marcel van der Watt said, “NCOSE stands in resolute support of the survivors who bravely shared their stories at today’s press briefing on Capitol Hill, including NCOSE’s own courageous Teresa Helm. It is imperative that the Epstein/Maxwell sex trafficking network is exposed to the fullest measure. Survivors deserve this, as does the American public.
“Drawing from my extensive work on transnational sex trafficking cases elsewhere in the world, I’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of opacity—cases where questions linger indefinitely, eroding trust and justice. The U.S. Government has long advocated for centering survivor voices as an essential step for effective Prosecution, Protection, and Prevention (The 3P Paradigm). Trading transparency for translucency never works; it breeds suspicion, undermines public confidence and only prolongs suffering. We must act decisively to reveal the full truth about Epstein and Maxwell, honoring official U.S. commitments to empower victims and hold perpetrators accountable,” he said.
“Sex trafficking networks are built upon force, fraud and coercion and are fueled by sex buyers. It is time to dismantle these networks and ensure that no one else experiences these heinous crimes. The answer to darkness is light!” said Van der Watt.
About National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE)
Founded in 1962, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) is the leading national non-profit organization exposing the links between all forms of sexual exploitation such as child sexual abuse, prostitution, sex trafficking and the public health harms of pornography.
To schedule an interview with NCOSE, please contact press@ncose.com
