A woman from Cape Town has alleged that she was trafficked across continents by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, describing a pattern of abuse and psychological manipulation that she says began when she was just 20 years old.
Juliette Bryant, now 43, says she was recruited in 2002 while studying at university and pursuing modelling. What appeared to be a life-changing opportunity quickly turned into what she describes as years of entrapment and sexual abuse.
“Invisible chains is a good way to put it, it was like I was handcuffed invisibly,” she says. “I’d never even told my family, I never told anyone about what happened with him until he died.”
According to a report by Sky News’ Yousra Elbagir who spoke to Juliette, she alleges that her ordeal extended from South Africa to the United States and the Caribbean, involving Epstein’s private jet, island and ranch.
Cape Town to the Caribbean: How the Alleged Trafficking Began
Bryant says she first encountered Epstein at a Cape Town restaurant during an official AIDS awareness visit by former US president Bill Clinton. The visit was accompanied by actors Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker.
Three weeks later, she boarded a flight to New York — her first trip outside South Africa. Within hours of arriving, she was told she would continue on to the Caribbean. A driver dropped her at a runway at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, where she boarded a private jet.
On the aircraft, she says Epstein and two women who had initially recruited her were already on board.
“He patted the chair next to him… and then I went and sat there. It was such a confusing situation for a young person to be in.
“As the plane took off, he started forcibly touching me in between my legs, and I just freaked out and I suddenly realised – oh my God, my family aren’t going to see me again, these people might kill me, you know?
“They [the women] were laughing. I was really petrified.”
Emails contained within the so-called Epstein files show flight details for unnamed female passengers travelling from Cape Town to London, Atlanta and New York as recently as 2018.
Bryant says she was not trafficked to other men but alleges that Epstein raped her repeatedly.
Allegations of Abuse at Epstein’s Private Island and US Properties
After landing in the Caribbean, Bryant says her passport was taken before she was transported by helicopter to Epstein’s private island.
“There was no way of getting away, you know. They had my passport and by then we had landed on one of the Caribbean islands and then were taken on a helicopter to his island. There was just no way of getting away. I’m not strong enough to swim away. I wouldn’t be able to swim off there.”
She describes long periods alone on the island, punctuated by meals and being summoned to Epstein’s room.
“I would see him at lunch, breakfast and dinner, and then I would be called to his room. Otherwise, I didn’t see a lot of him, he was always off working.
“I spent a lot of time there on my own. I’d sit by the pool or read books, and I also found disposable cameras in the kitchen which I took to, so I took photos while I was there.”
The photographs she took, she says, capture contrasting images — smiling alongside other young women, and moments she now associates with isolation.
Even after returning to Cape Town, Bryant says she travelled to Epstein’s properties in New York, Palm Beach, Paris and New Mexico. She alleges that she encountered women and underage girls from Brazil, Romania, France and Spain during those visits.
Psychological Impact and Fallout from US Justice Department File Release
Bryant says the psychological toll of her experience continues. She describes constant reminders of Epstein’s image across social media and news platforms.
“I look on Facebook, I see Epstein’s face. I look on X, I see Epstein’s face. I look at the news, there it is again. You know, there are times when it’s made me feel physically ill, to be honest, it is just constantly there and there is no way of escaping it.”
The recent release of additional documents by the US Department of Justice included emails sent by Bryant to Epstein. The correspondence shows her expressing support ahead of his 2008 trial and continuing to contact him until 2017.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Trump Says Iran Regime Change Would Be ‘Best Thing That Could Happen’ As US Boosts Military Presence
“Whenever I sent emails, it was always when I had been drinking or when I was having a bit of a breakdown… I always felt like he was watching me, and that was also why I emailed.
“I have nothing to hide. It has obviously been upsetting because it confuses people because obviously the man had a terrible grip on my mind.”
Bryant says she is still working to understand the full extent of what she describes as Epstein’s “dark machinery”, while continuing her psychological recovery.
Why you can trust SurgeZirc UK. Learn more about our editorial standards.
