Marina Lacerda, a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse network, has issued a powerful call for the complete release of documents related to the convicted sex offender, stating that Donald Trump's dismissal of the scandal as a "hoax" has only strengthened survivors' resolve.
From Anonymous Victim to Public Advocate
For years, Lacerda was known only as "Minor Victim-1" in court documents, another faceless teenager groomed and abused by the disgraced financier. The 37-year-old Brazilian immigrant decided to waive her anonymity in September 2025, speaking publicly for the first time outside the US Capitol to encourage other survivors to come forward.
Lacerda woke on Wednesday to discover that House Republicans had released thousands of Epstein-related documents, bringing fresh revelations about the extensive network surrounding the convicted sex trafficker. Among the disclosures were emails suggesting Epstein believed Trump was aware of his conduct.
"Donald Trump, thank you so much for calling us a hoax, because now you've empowered us and now you've made people listen to us even more," Lacerda stated during a Washington DC news conference on 3 September 2025. "It actually helped us out."
A Harrowing Journey of Abuse
Lacerda's nightmare began in 2002 when she was just 14 years old, recruited by a friend to give Epstein massages at his New York townhouse. The vulnerable teenager, who had already suffered sexual and physical abuse, was working to support her immigrant family from Brazil.
"It was a very, very, very sad time in my life," Lacerda recalled. She was promised $300 for removing her blouse and providing a half-hour massage, but her first encounter left her distraught.
"It was absolutely different than what I expected. When I got there, I did take off my blouse and he wanted to touch me and I said no to him. He respected it but then he started to touch himself," she remembered. "I felt that I was in a place that I couldn't go anywhere... So I got very scared."
The abuse rapidly escalated, with Epstein exploiting Lacerda's financial struggles and immigration status. From age 14 until nearly 18, she endured repeated rape and psychological manipulation. Epstein's office was filled with photographs of powerful figures including Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, and Prince Andrew, reinforcing his claims of invulnerability.
"He always told me that he owned the government, he owned the banks, he owned everything and he was in power," Lacerda said. "He had threatened me in different ways, and not directly, but always told me: 'Be careful who you talk to, because if you talk too much, things can happen.'"
The Fight for Transparency and Justice
Lacerda became a crucial witness in the 2019 indictment against Epstein, providing evidence described as vital to building the case. The financier died in jail that same year while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
The survivor expressed frustration that the release of Epstein files has become a political battleground, with Republicans and Democrats blaming each other for delays. Trump has pressured congressional Republicans to oppose full disclosure ahead of a crucial House vote.
"We don't care whose fault it is. We just want these Epstein files to get released to the public and to us because it will bring us closure," Lacerda emphasised. "Because a lot of us have trauma."
She found inspiration to speak publicly after attending the memorial of Virginia Giuffre, who repeatedly named Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Prince Andrew as her abusers before taking her own life in April. Giuffre's posthumous memoir led to Prince Andrew being stripped of his royal titles.
"We continue this journey for her," Lacerda said. "She has done so much speaking-wise and using her voice and advocating and doing so much, that it is our job now to continue that throne that she has built for us."
Despite her contribution to the case, Lacerda still grapples with feelings of shame, working to understand that the abuse would have continued regardless of her actions. Her message to other survivors remains clear: breaking silence is the first step toward healing and justice.
