Ghislaine Maxwell’s accusers speak out after guilty verdict is given

She was found guilty on five charges.

Ghislaine Maxwell's accusers have spoken out after she was found guilty of multiple sex trafficking charges on Wednesday, saying “others must be held accountable". Maxwell, 60, was on Wednesday found guilty on five of the six counts she faced - including the most serious charge, that of sex trafficking a minor. https://twitter.com/JOE_co_uk/status/1476320045328388109?s=20 Maxwell is guilty of recruiting and trafficking young girls to be sexually abused by the late American financier Jeffrey Epstein, and those who have accused her are speaking out about the verdict. Virginia Roberts, or Virginia Giuffre as she is now known, said others now need to be held accountable as Maxwell "did not act alone." Roberts has also said she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew three times in 2001 and another two times in New York and on Epstein’s private island. She tweeted: "My soul yearned for justice for years and today the jury gave me just that. I will remember this day always. "Having lived with the horrors of Maxwell’s abuse, my heart goes out to the many other girls and young women who suffered at her hands and whose lives she destroyed. “I hope that today is not the end but rather another step in justice being served. Maxwell did not act alone. Others must be held accountable. I have faith that they will be.” https://twitter.com/VRSVirginia/status/1476330055500455946 As well as this, Robert Glassman, a lawyer on behalf of "Jane", who claimed Maxwell had lured her to an orgy when she was 14, said he was happy that "the jury has found Ms Maxwell guilty of the heinous crimes she committed against our client." He said: "The verdict screams loud and clear – if you make it easier for another to sexually abuse children, you, too, will be held accountable for your role in that abuse.

“The verdict also confirms what we’ve known all along: Jeffrey Epstein did not act alone. If it was not for Ms Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein would never have been able to abuse these girls.”

Maria Farmer, Annie Farmer's sister - the only person to testify with their full name - said they were sobbing as the verdict was given. The others pseudonyms who testified in the case were Jane, Kate and Carolyn. https://twitter.com/ArtisticBlower/status/1476319730952769540

In a tweet, she said: “We are proud of one another. I have spent every moment for seven years working towards this verdict.” Teresa Helm told the BBC that the predator would “never again have the opportunity to take anything from anyone”.

She said: “Justice takes the lead today. I am consumed with gratitude for every brave, courageous and justice-driven person that has fought for this outcome.

“Ghislaine Maxwell will never again have the opportunity to take anything from anyone. She will reside on the other side of freedom. Us survivors, we go free.”

Related links

• Ghislaine Maxwell's family launch appeal after she's found guilty in sex trafficking trial
• Prince Andrew wants sex assault accuser’s lawsuit tossed out because she ‘lives in Australia’
• Epstein victim says 'sharks were a welcome alternative' when trying to escape island