Legislation proposed by House Democrats aims to address survivors’ financial and medical burdens
Danielle Bensky wants a typical life.
“I would just love to own a house one day and have a dog,” said Bensky, who is among theJeffrey Epsteinsurvivorsadvocating for accountability. “I think that’s the dream – literally just to have a normal existence where we’re not trying to fight the government and constantly be facing our own abuse.”
For Bensky and many other survivors of the convicted sex trafficker, the simple dreams enjoyed by so many Americans remain out of reach. In addition to the psychological and physical toll of sexual trauma, some Epstein victims face extreme financial pressures related to their pursuit of justice for the well-connected predator.
“Right now, I am uninsured,” Bensky said.
Bensky has received coverage for mental health treatment because of a settlement between an investment bank andUS Virgin Island authorities that led to the creation of a mental health fund. But there are many other costs associated with healing, she said.
Physical therapy for a post-traumatic injury costs approximately $200 per visit, she said. Bensky knows she should go more than twice per month, “but I can’t afford it,” she said. The yoga that helps keep Bensky centered comes to about $250 monthly.
“I’ve been doing all this advocacy for the year, and I’ve had to take time off from work,” Bensky said, explaining she has now hit roadblocks in securing work due to her advocacy. “There are certain places that won’t even hire some of us now because they’re saying that we’re ‘too political’.”
“I’m paying for everything out of pocket,” Bensky said about healthcare.
Congressional Democrats Ayanna Pressley, Teresa Leger Fernández and Deborah Ross this week introduced legislation to address survivors’ financial burdens. Thisproposed legislationseeks to launch a restitution fund in the judicial branch “for survivors of sexual violence whose rights were violated by the federal government, including all survivors of abuse by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell”.
“Though it often goes overlooked or ignored, the deep financial burden that survivors of sexual violence carry – coupled with mental and physical trauma – can be debilitating. Navigating such harm can lead to time away from work or the need to leave a job entirely, resulting in a loss in income while rent is due, daily needs have to be met, and medical expenses to address physical injury and mental health support pile up,” Pressley said in a statement. “The Survivors’ Rights Restitution Act shines a light on this critical gap in support for survivors and would force our government to bring the meaningful accountability and compensation that survivors are owed.”
Many survivors support this initiative, but the likelihood of it passing both chambers of Congress and securing Donald Trump’s signature seems unlikely in the near future given heightened partisanship and geopolitical distractions. As a result, an initiative for steadier financial footing is poised more to be a long-term prospect rather than immediate relief.
Jess Michaelssaid that her financial future was derailed after Epstein assaulted her. She had flourished as a professional dancer but the attack left her unable to pursue work.
“I would go into auditions and I would lose my nerve,” Michaels said. “I would be unable to finish an audition. I would be unable to go to auditions because I would be stuck in bed, frozen or crying, and that lasted throughout my 20s.”
“The career that I had worked for collapsed … What does that end up costing someone?” Michaels said. She noted that for much of the time, “it meant I didn’t even have insurance”.
