Photo credit: www.cbsnews.com
Virginia Giuffre, a prominent figure in the fight against sexual exploitation and a vocal accuser of Jeffrey Epstein, died by suicide on Friday, as confirmed by her family in a statement to CBS News.
Giuffre passed away at her farm in Western Australia at the age of 41. Her family expressed their profound sorrow, stating, “She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking. Virginia was a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking. She was the light that lifted so many survivors. Despite all the adversity she faced in her life, she shone so bright. She will be missed beyond measure.”
Previously, Giuffre had suffered serious injuries in a car accident involving a school bus in Western Australia last month.
Giuffre was well-known for alleging that Epstein had trafficked her to high-profile figures, including Prince Andrew, who has denied these allegations. In 2021, Giuffre filed a lawsuit against Andrew, claiming that he sexually abused her when she was just 17. This case concluded with an out-of-court settlement in 2022.
Her attorney, Sigrid McCawley, shared her grief, stating, “Virginia was much more than a client to me; she was a dear friend and an incredible champion for other victims. Her courage pushed me to fight harder, and her strength was awe-inspiring. The world has lost an amazing human being today. Rest in peace, my sweet angel.”
Born in California, Giuffre moved to Florida during her childhood. She experienced a troubled upbringing, disclosing to the Miami Herald that she was initially molested by a family friend at the age of seven, which she characterized as a turning point that dramatically altered her life.
In the early 2000s, Giuffre met British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell while working as a locker room attendant at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, where her father was employed as a maintenance supervisor.
In 2019, Epstein, a convicted sex offender, was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges. Shortly thereafter, he died in his cell at a Manhattan jail, where he was awaiting trial; his death was ruled a suicide.
Giuffre also accused Maxwell of grooming and abusing her at the age of 17. In a 2020 interview with CBS News, she remarked that Maxwell “was the guy controlling Jeffrey.” In June 2022, Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in helping Epstein abuse underage girls over an extended period.
In her efforts to aid others, Giuffre founded a nonprofit organization called Speak Out, Act, Reclaim (SOAR), dedicated to advocating for and educating about the issues faced by sex trafficking victims.
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Additional support is available through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline chat service.
For further information about mental health care resources and support, please contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine, available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or via email at info@nami.org.
Source
www.cbsnews.com