Epstein survivor speaks at Voice of Freedom Forum
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) – Fierce Freedom, in tandem with Valleybrook Church, hosted their Voice of Freedom Forum, promoting awareness and support for victims of trafficking and sexual assault.
The keynote speaker of the event was Jess Michaels, a survivor of childhood abuse and 1991 victim of Jeffrey Epstein. Michaels has since used her experience for advocacy, speaking to cities like Eau Claire about recognizing and preventing sexual abuse and trafficking.
“I was so honored to be invited because I know that where the real change happens is on these smaller areas, in cities, in towns, and with the people that have been on the ground working with this issue for years, and so to be invited to speak to this community feels like such an honor because I can feel a tangible difference that it helps to make in this community,” Michaels said.
As the allegations against Epstein entered the public eye eight years ago, Michaels truly began her healing journey, featuring a number of techniques she promotes to fellow victims.
“I’ve been on an eight-year healing journey since with therapy and all kinds of modalities,” Michaels said.
“EMDR, brain spotting, music therapy, art therapy, breath work. I even just finished a whole four-month series on neurofeedback. It is a journey. I know it’s going to be a lifelong journey, but we can heal and we can thrive, and it will be in that healing that we’re able to make a difference and able to make change on this issue.”
Michaels encourages Chippewa Valley residents to continue to support Fierce Freedom and their efforts to support victims.
Copyright 2026 WEAU. All rights reserved.
DOCUMENTED REFERENCES
Exploring Documented Records
Public interest in the Epstein case continues not only because of court proceedings and testimonies, but also due to the growing body of documented records that help researchers and readers understand the broader context. Beyond legal files and media reports, some independent projects have organized publicly available data connected to Epstein’s activities.
One example is a structured archive of documented Amazon order records, where purchases are cataloged with dates and product details. While individual items do not prove wrongdoing on their own, examining documented information alongside established facts helps paint a clearer picture of the environment and circumstances surrounding the case.
For readers looking to review primary-source style data rather than interpretations, exploring compiled records can provide additional context to the broader discussion.
