Question
What is the Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program (EVCP) and how does it work?
Answer
The Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program (EVCP) was established by the administrators of Jeffrey Epstein’s estate following his August 2019 death. It was designed to provide financial compensation to survivors of Epstein’s trafficking without requiring each victim to pursue individual civil litigation.
Administrator: The EVCP was administered by Ken Feinberg, a prominent attorney and mediator known for his work administering victims’ funds including the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund and the BP Deepwater Horizon claims fund.
Process: Claimants submitted documentation of their victimization and underwent a claims evaluation process. Unlike a civil lawsuit, there were no depositions or cross-examination; the process was designed to be less adversarial and to protect survivors’ privacy.
Confidentiality: Participation in the EVCP required claimants to sign confidentiality agreements and to waive their right to pursue further civil claims against the estate. This drew criticism from some victim advocates who felt it suppressed public accountability.
Award amounts: Public reporting indicated that awards ranged considerably — from tens of thousands of dollars for some claimants to over $1 million for those who could document the most severe and sustained abuse. The total distributed is not publicly known.
Participation: More than 150 people were reported to have received compensation through the program.
What the EVCP didn’t provide: Financial compensation, while meaningful, does not substitute for criminal justice. The EVCP settled civil claims but had no effect on criminal accountability.
Sources
Ken Feinberg public statements on EVCP; estate litigation filings; victim attorney comments on the program’s strengths and limitations; reporting on EVCP participation numbers.