Affiliates of convicted sex offenders Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein should now be concerned that “victims are believed”, a top lawyer said.
Lisa Bloom, who represents eight victims of the shameful couple, told the PA news agency her clients think Maxwell should never be released because “other women could be harmed in the future.”
The lawyer said the number of women who came forward to accuse the British social member meant she could be prosecuted again.
“I expect it to be a long sentence where she will probably spend the rest of her life behind bars,” Ms Bloom said before Tuesday’s sentencing hearing.
“She made choices, she knew what she was doing, she damaged the lives of many girls and she showed no remorse.
“So why should she get anything less than a very significant sentence of 30 years or more.”
Regarding what her clients have been through since being abused, Ms Bloom said: “My clients suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein, which is what Ghislaine Maxwell facilitated.
“It is a lifelong condition. There is no cure for PTSD.
“You can get it under control, like diabetes, but it is something that must always be managed for the rest of someone’s life.
“My clients suffer from problems in their relationships and their careers, depression, suicide, sexual disorders – and this is something they will always have to live with.”
Ms Bloom addressed how her clients felt during the trial and continued: “It is very upsetting for them to hear what is going on at the trial, to hear how the victims testify… and then her lawyers and all the excuses and all the to hear defense.
“The jury’s ruling was very encouraging and fair to them.
“But it’s just one thing after another with Ghislaine Maxwell and her lawyers (and) their defense and it’s all very painful for the victims.”
Ms Bloom added: “They feel really encouraged and really take courage from the fact that this case has been prosecuted and tried.
“And now she will be sentenced to, probably, a long prison sentence. It really means a lot to them.
They have made choices that have harmed girls and women and they should be held accountable
“They do not think she should ever come out, because other women could be harmed in the future.”
Regarding the number of women who accused Maxwell of abuse, Ms Bloom said: “I believe there are hundreds and hundreds of victims.
“We know that 150 women came to the Jeffrey Epstein settlement fund and even that is probably the tip of the iceberg.
“I talk to a lot of women who say they were abused by Epstein and Maxwell, but they finally decided that they just could not go through with it.
“So there may be other victims who come forward, she can be prosecuted again – it is always possible.”
Asked if other people associated with Maxwell and Epstein could be prosecuted, Ms Bloom said: “I believe there are other people who can be held accountable.
“They made choices that harmed girls and women and they must be held accountable.
“Prosecutors will need victims and they will need evidence to bring those cases.
“If anyone else out there was part of this scheme, we know that other names were posted there, including during Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial, they should be very concerned.
“We are now seeing a new era where victims are believed even if they are imperfect, even if they have made mistakes in their lives, as was the case in the Ghislaine Maxwell case.
“Nevertheless, they are believed and I think it will be very important to bring others to justice.”