How American society shields perpetrators of child sexual abuse

Following the public revelation of Jeffrey Epstein's long-standing sexual abuse and trafficking of minors, many wealthy individuals, political figures, and academics publicly expressed their ignorance of his global network of exploitation. This denial persists despite Jeffrey Epstein's 2008 plea deal for underage prostitution charges and the extensive network of his staff and associates who remained silent about their suspicions.

As a researcher with experience in genocide studies, I believe that denying human rights atrocities can provide insight into the denial of crimes like child sexual abuse and trafficking. There are two primary forms of denial: those perpetrated by the perpetrator themselves and those by the communities surrounding them. While it is understandable for perpetrators of heinous crimes to deny their actions, it is more puzzling why bystanders, law enforcement, colleagues, family, and institutions may claim ignorance.

Society recognizes that remaining silent after witnessing criminal acts is a form of complicity. In the absence of acknowledging the atrocity, bystanders are compelled to deny it due to the moral and legal obligations to act. International and domestic laws consider certain crimes so egregious that there are no legitimate excuses for committing them.

The 1987 United Nations Convention against Torture stipulates that no exceptional circumstances, including wartime situations, can justify torture. The 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention holds all signatory nations accountable for their actions in cases of genocide. In the United States, the 1974 Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act mandates that certain individuals, such as doctors, teachers, clergy, and law enforcement, must report known or suspected child abuse cases.

Billboards in New York City, like the one in July 2025, have called for the release of Epstein's files, the government records detailing his criminal sex-trafficking network.