Virginia Giuffre, formerly Virginia Roberts, has passed away. She was 41 years old at the time of her death, at her property in Western Australia. Giuffre gained international attention for her courageous stance against powerful figures involved in sex trafficking, notably her accusations against Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew. Though telling the story was painfully difficult, she told it over and over, turning herself into an indomitable advocate for victims’ rights.
Giuffre’s life was defined by her grit and resolve to fight back against the wrongs done to her. She’s survived by her three children, who she often noted served as her inspiration for advocacy. As a mother, wife, daughter, and in her other roles, she really took those roles with her journey. She felt that it was her responsibility to use her experiences to bring awareness to trafficking and abuse.
A Journey of Advocacy
Virginia Giuffre emerged from anonymity in 2010. This was just a year after Epstein had cut a secret deal to avoid federal prosecution in 2007. She alleged that during her adolescence, she was transported across the globe to engage in sexual acts with powerful men. This involved Prince Andrew at a time when she was just 17 and 18 years old. Hundreds of pages of documents, witness statements, and photographs corroborated her claims. One notorious photo depicted Giuffre with Prince Andrew, who was pictured with his arm around her waist.
Giuffre’s advocacy efforts intensified over the years. In 2015, she started the advocacy nonprofit SOAR. The agency provides direct services to suspected victims of human trafficking and educates community members about the industry’s exploitation of people. Her work reached an even larger audience in 2020 with the release of the four-part Netflix documentary “Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich,” which highlighted her experiences and those of other victims.
“This is not some sordid sex story. This is a story of being trafficked.” – Virginia Giuffre
In interviews, Giuffre shared her anger over the lack of accountability from the justice system, and the high-ranking men who used their power to abuse her. She called for more accountability and transparency. She was dedicated to making sure that everyone who facilitated Epstein’s abuses should be held accountable.
Confronting the Elite
Giuffre’s allegations against Prince Andrew received widespread media attention. She claimed that he provided nothing but “stupid excuses” to justify his actions. She unapologetically insisted that it was not her fault for the trauma Epstein and his cronies caused her. Then, in the summer of 2000, Giuffre says, Ghislaine Maxwell recruited her. Maxwell provided her with an opportunity to get trained as a massage therapist.
In these powerful words, Giuffre painted a chilling portrait of the control wielded by Epstein and Maxwell. She remembered being told that she should meet Prince Andrew’s needs to stay in Epstein’s good graces.
“I knew I had to keep [Prince Andrew] happy because that’s what Jeffrey and Ghislaine would expect of me.” – Virginia Giuffre
Throughout all of these media interviews, Giuffre always focused on the consequences beyond her experience, placing her journey in the larger narrative of systemic abuse and exploitation.
“This is a story of abuse and this is a story of your guys’ royalty.” – Virginia Giuffre
Her words resonated with many, challenging societal norms regarding power dynamics and accountability.
A Legacy of Courage
In every stage of her life, Virginia Giuffre never wavered in her resolve to advocacy. In February 2022, she came to a financial settlement agreement with Prince Andrew. The settlement featured a large contribution to her non-profit, which advocates for victims’ rights. This settlement was celebrated as a victory by advocates who interpreted it as a sign that her claims were indeed valid.
Giuffre’s journey was personal but it was a part of a larger movement to give voice to the voiceless—to those who have endured in silence. During her interview with BBC Panorama, she pleaded for public support. Jo’s testimony struck a powerful chord when she called on the UK public to support victims and survivors.
“With more transparency, I am hopeful that all who helped perpetrate these heinous crimes will be held accountable.” – Virginia Giuffre
