Epstein Survivors Receive 13,000 Handwritten Notes at Traveling Exhibition
A simple corkboard installed by organizers became a central feature of the Epstein Memorial Reading Room, drawing thousands of messages of support.
By Chioma Brooks ·
Visitors to the Epstein Memorial Reading Room have left approximately 12,500 to 13,000 handwritten notes for survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse. These messages, ranging from expressions of solidarity to personal reflections, have become a defining feature of the traveling exhibition. Organizers report that the volume of support has provided emotional relief to the women who helped push for the release of investigative files.
The exhibition, which began in New York City in May, displays documents related to Epstein's crimes and the law enforcement actions that followed his 2019 arrest. David Garrett, founder of the Institute for Primary Facts, initially planned for a single small corkboard in the final room. He intended to leave space for visitors to leave brief thoughts after viewing the files. Garrett said the organizers did not expect the board to fill quickly, but it was covered in notes by the end of the first day.
As the demand grew, organizers added more corkboards. Garrett stated that the team purchased additional boards daily during the initial ten-day run. By the time the first exhibition ended, 30 boards covered the basement walls. The notes included drawings, expressions of rage, and direct messages to the survivors. Bensky, a survivor involved in the effort for accountability, described the display as a tangible representation of democracy and empathy.
The exhibition has traveled to seven cities, including Washington D.C., Des Moines, Columbus, Detroit, Dallas, and Fort Lauderdale. A traveling bookmobile also made approximately two dozen additional stops. Survivors Liz Stein and Danielle Bensky said the messages have helped them cope with the stress of public engagement. Stein noted that visitors often approach the survivors to share personal connections, saying that while they may not know their names, they feel the support.
Political reactions to the exhibition have been mixed. The White House stated that President Trump has done more for Epstein's victims than any previous administration, citing the release of documents and the signing of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Conversely, the Department of Justice criticized the tour, calling it a "sham" that uses victims as political pawns. The Justice Department noted that the files were released in compliance with new legislation under the current administration.
For the survivors, the handwritten notes offer a counterpoint to institutional failures. Bensky recalled a note that simply read, "It wasn't your fault." Stein remembered another message that stated, "Money and power should not dictate justice." These specific messages have given the women a sense of being seen and believed after years of legal and political battles.
