Written by Comerford Legal Fellow Katie Smith, Northeastern University School of Law, 3L
Introduction
In my three years in law school, I’ve had the incredible privilege of working on issues related to domestic violence, sexual abuse, and sexual assault. In particular, I’ve worked for several legal aid societies, where I’ve supported survivors by helping clients file for divorce from their abuser, access public benefits like SNAP and cash assistance, file special visas available to victims of domestic violence, and argue for restraining order extensions. As I reflect on my legal education, one thing is clear; across all areas of the law; family, public benefits, and immigration, our systems are not operating to protect and support survivors.
Thankfully, through my role as a legal fellow in Sen. Comerford’s office, I have the opportunity to work with Sen. Comerford’s incredible team to build a safer and more equitable Commonwealth for all, including survivors. As our nation grapples with the horrors contained in the Epstein files, now more than ever is the time to take meaningful steps to support survivors of violent and sex crimes in the Commonwealth.
Federal Government’s Failed Response
From December 2025 to February 2026, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released upwards of 3 million pages, 2,000 videos, and 180,000 images related to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. These files, commonly referred to as “the Epstein files,” detail sex and violent crimes committed against women and children. However, as DOJ officials have stated they are unlikely to bring new charges, concerns remain that the release of the files alone will not bring accountability nor justice.
The Role of State Government
As the federal government fails to take steps to bring justice to survivors, we’ve heard from many constituents wondering how Massachusetts can respond to the Epstein files. Under the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution, state governments have limited authority to control the federal government and may be limited in their responses if the federal government has already acted on an issue.
But, this does not mean that state governments do not have a pathway forward. In fact, state governments are already playing a huge role in supporting survivors through providing vital support services. These services, including housing support, financial compensation for violent crime victims, and government grants to legal aid organizations, can help a survivor heal after experiencing a violent crime.
Yet, support services are often stretched incredibly thin and are not able to fully meet the needs of survivors. This can make it harder for survivors to escape a dangerous situation. For example, one study found that 66.3% of survivors reported returning after attempting to leave to their abusive partners at least once, and of this group, 97.1% reported returning multiple times. Without critical wraparound services like housing and economic support, a survivor may delay escaping or return to abusive situations.
Further, a lack of services can cause survivors to struggle to rebuild their lives after escaping, as they face additional challenges like housing instability, mental health concerns, and an inability to meet their basic needs. A lack of support services can also result in a survivor experiencing more violence, through revictimization.
Thus, limited services consistently fail survivors, making it difficult to leave dangerous situations, harder to heal after abuse, and increase the chance of experiencing more violence.
Supporting Survivors through Increased State Programming
Promoting Economic Stability:
Survivors of violent and sex-based crimes are particularly likely to experience financial insecurity. This occurs for a variety of reasons. First, many survivors were low-income or experiencing poverty prior to their victimization. Poverty or low economic resources increase vulnerability to sexual exploitation and human trafficking and domestic violence.
Further, the experience of violence or violent crime increases the likelihood a person will face financial challenges. For example, the majority of survivors of domestic violence experience financial abuse, a type of abuse that can cause survivors to have limited or no access to their finances, limited or no work experience, or a destroyed credit score. Additionally, seeking legal assistance can reduce a survivor’s economic resources, as women who petition for restraining orders against their abusers typically see decreased earnings.
Because of this, many survivors of violent and sex crimes have limited economic resources, and struggle to access basic necessities. For example, survivors of domestic violence experience higher levels of food insecurity than the U.S. average. Further, some survivors who receive food assistance remain food insecure, raising concerns that current programs are insufficient. Consequently, many survivors escape dangerous situations just to experience an economically dangerous situation.
State governments can address financial concerns of survivors by providing economic resources through support services. Currently, Massachusetts provides some resources, including financial compensation for victims of violent crimes, through a federal program known as the Victim Compensation Act. Through the program, Massachusetts provides individuals with up to $25,000 for expenses related to the violent crime and $13,000 for burial expenses. Notably, the Massachusetts limit is significantly lower than other states. For example, Texas will cover up to $50,000, Delaware will cover up to $50,000 if the applicant is permanently disabled, and Washington will cover up to $190,000. Current legislation, S.1180, An Act Expanding Access to Victim Compensation, partially addresses funding shortfalls by raising the maximum award for funeral and burial expenses from $13,000 to $15,000. However, Massachusetts should also consider raising its maximum award amount for other expenses like mental and physical health services, to more accurately reflect the rising cost of related expenses.
Moreover, because federal regulation severely restricts eligible expenses, the Massachusetts’ victim compensation scheme is not enough to support the economic needs of survivors. Accordingly, Massachusetts should continue to support programs that address food insecurity and other economic insecurity issues to support all survivors in achieving economic stability.
Increasing Access to Mental Health Services:
Survivors of violent and sex crimes often struggle with mental health concerns, sometimes many years after leaving an abusive situation. For example, 54% of domestic violence survivors reported experiencing post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), clinical depression, or both, after leaving an abusive situation. Likewise, women who experience physical, sexual, and psychological abuse are six times more likely than others to abuse substances.
Research demonstrates that survivors who are able to access mental health treatment find services helpful. However, many survivors report facing several barriers to access mental health care like cost, lack of access, being unaware of available services, and confidentiality and sensitivity concerns.
State governments can help to address the gap in mental health care for survivors through cost covering and increased awareness of available services. First, state governments can address cost of service by providing subsidized services for survivors of violent and sex crimes. For example, Massachusetts could create additional funding streams to cover mental health costs not eligible for reimbursement through the Victim Compensation Program. Further, additional funding programs should remove unnecessary restrictions that create artificial barriers, like cooperation with law enforcement, not “contributing” to the crime, or application deadlines. Additionally, many survivors are not aware of the availability and benefit of mental health services. State governments can increase awareness of services through making referrals and offering mental health care in pre-existing survivor support networks. Currently, state governments fund or support a wide network of support services for survivors, including emergency shelters, law enforcement and district attorney offices, and legal aid organizations. These organizations provide a unique opportunity to make accessing mental health care easier for survivors, by providing pathways to care where survivors are already seeking services.
By strengthening survivors able to access services and reducing cost barriers, Massachusetts can ensure all survivors are able to access crucial mental health services.
Supporting Housing Stability:
Many survivors struggle to find affordable housing, leading to high levels of homelessness. In fact, domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women and their children. Likewise, a study of human sex trafficking victims identified all types of housing support (shelters, transitional housing, and general housing) as most needed by survivors. Moreover, survivors face unique challenges when accessing housing, like the risk of violence against leading to application denials and increased risk of evictions compared to non-survivors. Finally, survivors with children are burdened with significant barriers, as survivors with multiple dependents frequently have to wait longer to access safe housing.
Unfortunately, federal housing programs, such as section 8 housing subsidies, can often be challenging for individuals to navigate due to an extensive, difficult, and time-consuming application process. Challenges with accessing and maintaining federal housing makes it even imperative for states to provide housing subsidies and emergency shelter options for survivors.
Currently, Massachusetts provides some housing resources for survivors, including emergency shelters and housing stabilization services. But, these resources are insufficient to meet the complex needs of all survivors. For example, an analysis by Safe Housing Project, a non profit supporting survivors of sex trafficking, found that Massachusetts does not offer residential services for minor sex trafficking victims or transitional residential services for adult trafficking victims. Massachusetts should work to address this shortage by funding housing assistance programs for all survivors. Any new housing assistance programs, and current programs, should be mindful of unintended barriers to access housing support, including intrusive interviews and restrictive requirements. By investing in housing support services for all demographics, Massachusetts can ensure no survivor falls through the gaps left by cumbersome federal programs, and everyone is able to access safe and stable housing after leaving a dangerous situation.
Conclusion:
The release of the Epstein files has led to increased calls for accountability and support for survivors of violent and sex crimes. Unfortunately, the federal government appears unwilling to respond. But, while the federal government’s refusal to take action is heartbreaking, it is not the end of the conversation. Rather, state governments are uniquely positioned to support survivors through promoting economic stability, increasing access to mental health services, and addressing housing insecurity. Massachusetts can, and should, take action now to aid survivors in rebuilding their lives after violence, and finally end the cycle of violence.
