News: Epstein Survivors Present At Codes Committee Meeting

May 4, 2026

Codes

Following Powerful Testimony, Committee Advances Sex Trafficking Measures

ALBANY— Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking ring testified before the Senate Codes Committee today, sharing their experiences and perspectives on how New York must strengthen laws against sexual abuse, protect victims and ensure accountability for perpetrators and enablers.

The Committee meeting, chaired by Senator Zellnor Myrie (D-Central Brooklyn), marked the first time Epstein survivors spoke publicly before any state legislative body.

"Today's testimony made clear how our laws have failed to deliver justice for victims and survivors," said Senator Myrie. "The Trafficking Survivor Recovery and Accountability Act, along with the other bills we advanced today, would provide important new tools for ensuring justice is served. I'm grateful for the brave survivors who spoke so powerfully today, and make this promise: New York will always have your back."

Following the survivors' testimony, the Committee advanced three measures to protect survivors and provide new tools to hold abusers accountable. Bills passed by the Committee today include:

S.4406 (May), allowing the use of closed-closed-circuit television for vulnerable sexual assault witnesses;
S.6460-A (Cleare), establishing the crimes of sex trafficking of a vulnerable person and predatory sex trafficking; and
S.9960 (Myrie), the Trafficking Survivor Recovery and Accountability Act. This bill would allow survivors to seek punitive damages in state court from the estates of abusers and their accomplices, extends the statute of limitations for victims, and establishes new crimes related to those who benefit from sex trafficking.

“I commend the survivors speaking to the Codes committee this week for using their voices when, too often, other survivors are unable to," said Senator Rachel May (D-Syracuse). "Far too often, our system fails survivors, especially in court, where they may be forced to face the person who harmed them. My bill addresses exactly a situation like that which unfolded in Syracuse, when a survivor was cross-examined by the accused. It will help protect vulnerable survivors by allowing remote testimony in certain cases, giving them a path to justice without forcing them to go through additional trauma.”

"One of my main missions as an elected official has been to eradicate human trafficking off the face of this Earth; and with partners like Codes Chair Senator Myrie, we have made progress," said Senator Cordell Cleare (D-Manhattan). "I hope that today's Codes Meeting, where we hear from courageous survivors, will add the necessary momentum to fully and finally reform our laws."

The survivors and advocates who testified at today's Codes Committee meeting included: