“Andrew’s arrest is wonderful news for survivors everywhere,” Teresa J. Helm responded Thursday morning, shortly after the announcement of the accusations against the former prince in connection with the Epstein affair. The 46-year-old Floridian publicly accused Jeffrey Epstein of having sexually assaulted her in 2002, with the help of his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.
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Mme Helm was among those who called for the disclosure of the “Epstein files”, these some 3 million documents linked to investigations into the actions of the financier convicted of sex crimes, who died in 2019.
“What I and other survivors hoped for with the publication is the exposure of the accomplices and members of Epstein and Maxwell’s inner circle, so that they can be unmasked for their crimes against many girls and young women,” she explains in a telephone interview with The Press.
Secondly, they wanted to see other culprits behind bars, adds the woman who is also coordinator of services for survivors at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.
Accusations?
Since the publication of the first documents in the files on January 30, around twenty influential figures have been stripped of their positions or forced to resign. New investigations have been opened. UN experts also sounded the alarm.
However, there appear to have been no new charges of sexual assault or trafficking of minors so far – one of the counts for which Maxwell was found guilty in 2021, and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
PHOTO JOSE LUIS MAGANA, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Teresa Helm at a press conference in Washington last September
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested after allegations of “misconduct in the performance of his official duties” in connection with the Epstein affair. Former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland is facing corruption charges after the publication of emails led to an investigation into gifts.
“One of the main obstacles to prosecution is that the burden of proof is very high for criminal cases,” notes Cheryl Bader, associate professor of clinical law at Fordham University and former federal prosecutor.
Deadline
The statute of limitations for filing sexual assault charges is another possible barrier; it varies by state. Although legislatures have removed or relaxed these constraints, they do not apply to crimes committed before these changes were enacted.
“There are still possibilities,” says Marci Hamilton, professor at the University of Pennsylvania. The organization she founded, Child USA, campaigns in particular for the end of this period in cases of sexual assault against minors.
The one who worked on the sexual assault scandals in the Catholic Church believes that society is now more firmly demanding accountability from the powerful. “I see incredible progress, because of the knowledge that the American people have, who do not want to give up,” she said. It is now impossible, even for the president, to suppress interest and support for the victims. »
Virginia Law
Two Democrats also introduced a bill last week to abolish federal statutes of limitations on civil sexual assault lawsuits. For one year, it would also be possible to launch procedures for facts prior to the change in the law.
Will Republicans support Democrats in the current context to adopt the law? That remains to be seen.
“I think the law would radically change the situation,” said M.me Bader. It would send the message to victims that we have gone beyond the stage of making them bear the responsibility for not having been able to change their situation, and it would be a recognition of coercive power in a context of extreme imbalance. »
If, in criminal law, guilt must be proven beyond a doubt, in a civil prosecution, the bar is lower and based on probabilities – which could make this avenue more accessible.
“It would be monumental if it were adopted,” says Mme Helm.
PHOTO AMERICAN FEDERAL COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, PROVIDED BY AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Prince Andrew (left), Virginia Roberts Giuffre (center) and Ghislaine Maxwell, in an undated photo, taken at an undisclosed location, and released in August 2021 by the County of the Southern District of New York
The bill is referred to as the Virginia’s Law (“Virginia Law”), in reference to Virginia Roberts Giuffre. The American claimed she was exploited in an Epstein sex trafficking ring when she was a minor, and accused Andrew of assaulting her. She committed suicide last year.
The last few months have been a “roller coaster”. “The impression of taking two steps forward, and five steps back”, illustrates Mme Helm.
Along with Virginia Roberts’ brother Giuffre and other alleged victims, Teresa Helm attended in person last week the testimony of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who refused to turn to them during the hearing on her department’s handling of the Epstein files.
“It was quite disappointing,” sighs Mme Helm.
The news of Andrew’s arrest gave him new hopes. “Virginia is probably smiling from up there,” she commented.
