How American society shields perpetrators of child sexual abuse

A community – bystanders, law enforcement, colleagues and family – is likely to deny an atrocity when acknowledging it requires action.

By: Sarah K Lischer, Wake Forest University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: August 13, 2026

Words: 1,249

Last Updated: 5 days, 6 hours ago

By Sarah K Lischer, Wake Forest University

Widespread denial accompanied the public exposure of Jeffrey Epstein’s decades-long sexual abuse and trafficking of girls and women.

After the U.S. Justice Department released millions of case documents on Epstein in January 2026, billionaires, politicians, heads of state and academics proclaimed their ignorance of Epstein’s global network of sexual exploitation.

Why would so many intelligent and powerful people repeatedly trumpet their lack of …

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