UK Epstein victims yet to come forward, says fund lawyer
British victims of the late Jeffrey Epstein have yet to come
forward, a US lawyer for a compensation fund has said.
Epstein, a former friend of the Duke of York, spent time in
London in the 1990s, when he allegedly abused underage girls as young as 14.
Last August, the disgraced American financier killed himself
before facing trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.
On Thursday, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell was charged
in the US with facilitating his sexual exploitation of girls.
Meanwhile, victims can now file claims against his 630
million dollar (£505 million) estate through the Epstein Victims’ Compensation
Programme.
US lawyer Jordana Feldman, architect of the programme,
encouraged more British women to come forward.
She said: “We believe there are victims yet to come forward
around the world, including in the UK.”
Jill Greenfield, head of personal injury at London-based
Fieldfisher, has been advising on potential proceedings against the Epstein
estate for allegations of sexual assault.
She said: “This fund is very good news for Epstein victims
both in the US and in the UK.
“Anything that eases the process for victims of sexual
assault to receive financial support is extremely positive.
“In the UK, we have a litigious system of dealing with these
types of claims, which in itself can cause further harm to victims.
“I would be keen for the UK to replicate these US schemes to
offer recourse without putting people through the extreme distress of pursuing
a claim through the courts.”
She added: “I am working with the victims’ fund to ensure
that the confidentiality of the UK victims that is built into this process is
sufficient to protect them.
“This is particularly important given that UK victims of
sexual assault are granted automatic anonymity, which is not automatic in the
US.”
The programme has been set up to operate independently from
the Epstein estate and has been working with lawyers for more than 70 victims.
The deadline for all claims to be filed is March 25 2021.
Maxwell, daughter of late media mogul Robert Maxwell, has
previously denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of sexual misconduct by her
former boyfriend Epstein.
Earlier this week, a source close to the Duke of York said
he was “bewildered” by claims made by US authorities that he has not offered to
co-operate with the Epstein case.
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