Jess Phillips calls for Epstein files to be catalyst for long-term legislative change

"The long-term strategy of the government must be exactly that long term. I am proud of the challenge we have tried to rise to, of the [violence against women and girls] strategy with investment and system change at its heart, but we mustn't let even that stand still, it must stretch when ambitions are met and it must never only be pulled out and waved around or cared about when it is politically expedient to do so. Epstein's victims deserve better."

"Phillips said Epstein's victims deserved for the government ensure that those who abused them are actually held accountable so they can't do it again. She called for investment in prevention so there was less likely to be a future Epstein in a UK classroom today. Phillips said schools should be given tools to deal with how abuses affect their pupils to prevent them growing up as perpetrators of abuse or survivors."

Institutional responses to violence against women frequently follow high-profile calamities or political scandals rather than proactive action. Momentum from high-profile cases should be converted into long-term legislative change and substantive survivor support instead of reactive policy announcements. Repentance without systemic change and sustained investment will fail survivors. A government strategy must remain long-term, expand when goals are met, and not be applied selectively for political convenience. Accountability for abusers, investment in prevention, and equipping schools to address the effects of abuse on pupils are essential to reduce future perpetrators and support survivors.

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