Victims of Jeffrey Epstein have expressed joy over the signing legislation by U.S. President Donald Trump compelling the Justice Department to release the files on the convicted sex offender but say they remain concerned about the sudden political shift and the potential for manipulation.

Marina Lacerda publicly identified herself less than three months ago as someone who was abused by Epstein.

She says the abuse started when she was 14 and ended when he told her she was too old, at the age of 17.

Lacerda says she's relieved the files are going to become public.

For Lacerda, the elation around the upcoming release of the files gave way to familiar feelings for many women who survive abuse: fear and paranoia.

The abrupt change in the political momentum made her uneasy.

"When we want the Epstein files to come out, we want it to be transparent," she said.

"We want it be the truth, right. It's what everybody's been fighting for. We want all the files to out, redacted with the victim's name, and not, you know, the powerful men."

Others echoed her concerns, and wondered if the government would sufficiently protect victims who have remained anonymous, who fear scrutiny and harassment if their names were to become public.

Haley Robson, who says she was abused by Epstein when she was 16, has the same concerns.

Robson was a leading voice in advocating for the Florida legislation signed in 2024 that unsealed the grand jury transcripts from the 2006 state case against Epstein.

She said the political maneuvering in recent months about the files led to non-stop anxiety — reminiscent of how she felt when she was abused as a teenager.

Still, Robson said she is trying to enjoy the victory while she can.

"I felt so many different emotions when not only the Senate passed the bill, but then when Donald Trump actually signed it, it was so long overdue," she said.

"And I think in that moment I was so happy and so hopeful, but a part of me was also like, okay, what's the catch?"