Featured Image Credit: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Topics: GoFundMe, Jeffrey Epstein, Mental Health, Money, Prince Andrew, Sexual Abuse, Virginia Giuffre
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: GoFundMe, Jeffrey Epstein, Mental Health, Money, Prince Andrew, Sexual Abuse, Virginia Giuffre
Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and suicide which some readers may find distressing.
It 'may take years' for Virginia Giuffre's family to receive any of the money she received in settlements with Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew.
On April 25, Virginia Guiffre died by suicide at her home in the Neergabby area in Western Australia, her passing confirmed in a statement shared by her relatives.
In 2009, Giuffre came forward and publicly accused Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell of sex trafficking and grooming, alleging she was 'forced to have sex' with Prince Andrew at Epstein's New York apartment - claims Prince Andrew denies.
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It was later revealed that Epstein and Giuffre reached a settlement agreement in 2009, with the convicted sex offender paying Giuffre $500,000 to drop the case while not admitting any liability or fault.
In 2022, Giuffre and Prince Andrew reportedly reached a financial settlement of an alleged $16.3 million (£12 million) out of court, though he did not admit to any wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
However, much like when anyone passes away, it could take years for Giuffre's estate - made up of any property she owns alongside money, including settlement money - to be sorted by lawyers and distributed as stated in her will.
Probate is 'is the legal and financial process of dealing with the property, money, and possessions of a person who has died,' Co-op legal services explains.
It consists of proving a will in court and confirming who has the authority to administer the person's estate and can take as little as a few months to sometimes two years to complete.
And Giuffre's family noted in a GoFundMe page: "Virginia, through her fight and testimony, was able to amass settlements, but unfortunately, through this tragedy, as many of you may know, funds and estates can take years to settle."
While Giuffre's estate is being settled in Australia, they don't have access to any funds and so the US-branch of her family has launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds to pay for a 'public memorial' 'dedicated to memorialzing and celebrating her spirit'.
The GoFundMe states: "First and foremost, thank you for the outpouring of love and support for our beloved Virginia. We know Virginia was not just a bright light to us but to many. The lives she touched, the strength, and the fight she has given us will live with us always.
"Though our family and many are experiencing an immeasurable sense of grief, we know that this will make us stronger - that is what Virginia would have wanted. With that, we think it is imperative that we find a way to leave her mark of legacy."
Giuffre's family explained their intention for a public memorial to not only commemorate her but act as a place for 'survivors and supporters' to 'share space with Virginia' too.
"She deserves to have a permanent mark in this world that demonstrates her lasting impact," it adds.
The GoFundMe also notes the family's intentions to propose 'new legislation for change' following Giuffre's efforts with the Statute of Limitations for sexual abuse.
It resolves: "It was Virginia's life’s purpose to continue the fight and break the chains of silence! We will continue that mission with all our heart and soul. Together."
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Or you can chat online via online.rainn.org.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.