In a recent article for the Guardian, Jess Phillips, the UK minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, emphasizes the necessity for long-term legislative changes rather than temporary fixes in response to violence against women and girls. Drawing from the tragic revelations in the Epstein files, she asserts that only when major scandals or calamities arise do institutions take the necessary steps to address systemic issues. Phillips stresses that the momentum generated by the Epstein victims' stories must be harnessed to create meaningful change rather than just expressions of sorrow.

Phillips highlights the broader context of governmental responsibility, insisting that the response to such violence should not be reactionary or superficial. Instead, she calls for a sustained commitment to enhance the support available for survivors through comprehensive long-term strategies. The minister reflects on her pride in the current strategies in place to combat violence against women and girls, but warns against complacency. She advocates for an adaptive approach to policy that evolves with changing circumstances and ambitions, ensuring that progress does not stall.

Ultimately, Phillips's message is clear: the revelations from the Epstein case should serve as a wake-up call for legislators to prioritize serious discussions and actions around women’s safety and to deliver on promises of systemic change. Only by viewing these tragic events as catalysts for transformation can substantial progress be made in safeguarding vulnerable individuals and fostering a society free from violence against women and girls.