Jess Phillips calls for Epstein files to be catalyst for long-term legislative change

Safeguarding minister says she wants to use momentum to invest in prevention and get more than quick-fix policies

• Read Jess Phillips’ article: We owe it to every Epstein victim to better protect British women and girls

Institutions can be persuaded to take action on violence against women and girls only when some sort of “calamity” or “political scandal” hits the headlines, Jess Phillips has said.

Phillips, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, said she wanted to use the momentum from the Epstein files to push for long-term legislative change and greater support for survivors, rather than quick-fix reactive policy announcements.