“Kate”

Kate was 17 years old when Ghislaine Maxwell befriended her in London in 1994. Maxwell was approximately 32 at the time. Maxwell cultivated a friendship, presenting herself as a worldly, sophisticated woman who could open doors for Kate.

Maxwell invited Kate to Epstein’s London residence for tea. At the home, Kate was introduced to Epstein. Over subsequent visits, Epstein began sexually abusing Kate, with Maxwell facilitating the encounters.

Kate testified that Maxwell gave her specific instructions about what Epstein liked and how to behave. Maxwell normalized the abuse by treating it as unremarkable and expected. Kate said Maxwell’s presence and coaching made her believe this was simply how things were done in their world.

Kate was subsequently flown to other Epstein properties, including his Palm Beach estate and his private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The abuse continued over several years across multiple locations.

Kate testified that Maxwell served as the “madam” of the operation — the person who identified girls, befriended them, brought them to Epstein, instructed them, and ensured they returned. Without Maxwell, Kate said, she never would have met Epstein or entered his orbit.

Kate described years of psychological damage following the abuse. She struggled with shame, secrecy, and a distorted sense of relationships. She testified that it took her decades to understand that what had happened to her was abuse and not, as Maxwell had made it seem, a normal part of an elite social world.