Full Story What the Epstein case teaches us about grooming
Mar 23, 2026
Lucia Osborne-Crowley, author and legal journalist who reports on sexual abuse and grooming, joins to unpack the Epstein case. She describes how predators identify and isolate vulnerable young people. She explains tactics that normalize sex and use acceptable touch as a gateway. She warns Epstein was not unique and highlights the networks and redactions that shielded abuse.
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Following The Maxwell Trial In Person
- Lucia Osborne-Crowley describes queuing from 2:30am to sit in the Manhattan courtroom for Ghislaine Maxwell's trial to witness survivors' testimony firsthand.
- She recounts freezing, security hostility, and enduring six weeks of early-morning lines to ensure accurate reporting and solidarity with survivors.
How Grooming Felt As A Child
- Lucia recounts being groomed from age nine by a mentor who made her feel uniquely chosen and then threatened her when she disappointed him.
- She explains the emotional trap: elevated attention, secrecy, fear of abandonment, and punishment creating deep confusion.
Grooming As A Staged Playbook
- Grooming is a staged playbook focused on gaining access and isolating a child through identification, trust-building, and removal from protective adults.
- Lucia highlights Maxwell's 'big sister' role: personal attention, praise, and emotional investment to manufacture attachment.
