Patriarchy, Scandal, and Gendered Victimhood: A Critical Reading of the Epstein Files
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https://doi.org/10.66871/trf-j.v1i2.044##semicolon##
Epstein files; patriarchy; epistemic injustice; gendered victimhood; elite masculinity; feminist critical discourse analysisसार
The public circulation of the Epstein files and related disclosures marked a significant moment in contemporary discussions of sexual exploitation, elite power, and gendered violence. Yet, despite the scale of the revelations, the aftermath of the scandal reveals the resilience of patriarchal structures that absorb, deflect, and ultimately survive exposure. This paper examines how the Epstein case functions as a cultural text through which patriarchy negotiates scandal, redistributes blame, and reasserts power, particularly through the gendered framing of victims and accountability.
Drawing on feminist theory, trauma studies, and scholarship on power, consent, and institutional complicity, the study analyses media narratives, legal discourse, and public responses surrounding the Epstein files. The paper argues that while the scandal ostensibly centres on systemic sexual abuse, dominant narratives frequently individualise harm, sensationalise female victimhood, and obscure networks of male power and institutional
protection. The gender of the victims, predominantly young women and girls, plays a crucial role in how credibility, sympathy, and moral judgement are unevenly distributed, reinforcing long-standing patterns of victim-blaming and silencing.
The study further explores how patriarchal systems endure scandal by shifting focus from structural exploitation to exceptional deviance, allowing elite masculinities, and enabling institutions to remain largely intact. By situating the Epstein files within broader contemporary debates on gendered violence and accountability, this paper argues that scandal alone does not dismantle patriarchy; instead, it often becomes a mechanism through which patriarchal power adapts and survives. Ultimately, the paper positions the Epstein case as a critical lens for understanding how gendered injustice persists even in moments of public revelation and outrage.
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