From Epstein to Trump, rich and powerful men have a vulnerable-women problem

The Age

30-07-2025

The existence of a so-called Jeffrey Epstein 'client list' matters, of course. As do the political implications of the long-running saga of the paedophile financier, whose death by suicide in 2019 turbocharged the conspiracies already swirling about a secretive cabal of the wealthy and powerful, and the lengths they would go to protect their secrets. Given that the men rumoured to have been 'gifted' vulnerable girls trafficked by Epstein were friends or associates, rather than paying clients, one might assume that Epstein knew better than to keep such a list anywhere other than in his own head.
The obsessive focus on this list, along with a trove of court and other documents relating to the criminal investigation against Epstein, diverts attention away from what should trouble us most: Why Epstein got such a kick out of abusing underage girls, and why he got away with it for decades. In this post-Me Too era it's worth examining whether Epstein is a particularly egregious case of a much broader phenomenon.
The profile of Epstein's victims, of which there are said to be more than 1000, is familiar to us already, should we care to look. A vulnerable young woman, sometimes from a troubled background, sometimes in need of cash, aspires to make something of her life. In awe of the obscene wealth, status, clout or celebrity of a powerful, older male who, implausibly at first, suggests friendship. He might explicitly offer to use his influence, or such assistance might be implied. Favours are sought, then they are compelled. There is a kind of implicit blackmail, only sometimes articulated, about what might happen should she try to break free or, heaven forbid, alert others to what she has been led to believe she has been complicit in, and guilty of.
Does this remind you of Harvey Weinstein, that other notorious case recently back in the courts? What about 'Diddy' Combs, convicted this month of 'transportation to engage in prostitution' during more than a decade of abuse of several women including young singer Cassie Ventura, whom he started dating when she was 19 years old (he was 37)? Then there's fellow Grammy-winning rapper R. Kelly, serving concurrent 20- and 30-year prison sentences for child sex abuse, sex trafficking and racketeering. Among Kelly's many victims was deceased pop star Aaliyah, whom Kelly illegally married when she was 15 years old.
Mohamed al-Fayed. Russell Brand (allegedly). Neil Gaiman (allegedly). Bill Cosby. Jimmy Savile. Rolf Harris. Larry Nassar.
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Groupies and gold-diggers have been around forever, and all of these men could have potentially leveraged their wealth, power or status to have their pick of such women in an entirely consensual fashion, as unpalatable as that may be to some. So why is it that the more influence a man accrues, the seemingly higher the likelihood he will become an abuser? And why do many of these men seem to get off on targeting vulnerable women in particular?
There is no single typology of a paedophile or sex abuser, but the research on the nexus between sex and power does provide clues. Studies have demonstrated that feelings of power enhance pre-existing sociopathic tendencies, and that 'men who associate sex with power are more likely to use power to get sex '. Men who hold misogynistic or dehumanising views of women have also been shown to be more likely to perpetrate sexual violence. A combination of both 'high levels of power motivation' and 'strong power-sex associations' is considered a predictive factor for aggressive sexual behaviour.
This brings us to that other high-profile guy recently convicted of sexual assault, who also has a lengthy history of misogynistic, dehumanising and allegedly abusive behaviour toward women: Donald J. Trump. The president's infamous 'grab 'em by the pussy' and the remark preceding it, 'when you're a star, they let you do it', suggests that, like the other wealthy and influential men I've mentioned, he strongly associates sex with power.