LONDON – It is astonishing that, in the 21st century, influential individuals still act as though they were immune to legal consequences. But even more worrying is that they can indeed expect to be shielded from scrutiny over extremely serious crimes. The Jeffrey Epstein scandal is a case in point. Epstein’s crimes were not only vile; they were exacerbated by the failure of US and UK authorities to listen to the many children whom he and his powerful friends exploited and abused.

© Project Syndicate