In recent weeks, headlines have once again thrust the issue of sexual assault into the national spotlight. The release of court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes has sparked speculation, outrage, and political theater. Yet for survivors like myself, the question is far simpler and more urgent: why is the truth still being hidden?
Why are the names of potential perpetrators redacted? The message to survivors — who are told to speak up, seek justice, and trust the system — is clear: Power means protection. When institutions withhold the truth, they betray the very people they claim to protect.
At Standing Together to End Sexual Assault (STESA), we believe survivors. We are committed to a survivor-led model of care that centers healing, justice, and empowerment. Through our programs, we provide wrap-around support for those impacted by sexual violence, and just as critical as our response is our prevention work — because healing one survivor is not enough. We must prevent the next assault from happening.