The release of the Epstein files by the United States government has revealed with greater clarity the extent to which numerous Harvard leaders, faculty, alumni, and donors maintained close ties to Jeffrey Epstein both before and after his 2008 conviction. Reporting by the Boston Globe, the New York Times, and The Crimson has shown that Harvard’s 2020 “Report Concerning Jeffrey E. Epstein’s Connections to Harvard University” did not fully disclose the extent of the University’s ties to Epstein, excluding significant relationships and relevant donations despite existing public reporting.

As members of the Harvard community, we sincerely believe in the full promise of Harvard University as an institution advancing world-class research, education, and open intellectual inquiry. However, as we are called upon by our institution, that promise comes with a responsibility to uphold our values.

The Crimson Alliance for Survivors is an informal coalition of Harvard-affiliated allies of survivors of sexual violence - students, alumni, faculty, and staff - who are calling for a more transparent and independent investigation into the University’s ties to Epstein, meaningful and proportionate accountability for any misconduct, strengthened governance to prevent this from recurring, and expanded research and teaching at Harvard on preventing sexual and gendered violence, child sexual abuse, and sex trafficking.

Our open letter “Harvard and Epstein: A Call for Repair” was published in The Harvard Crimson on July 22 and has already been signed by 156 Harvard students, alumni, faculty and staff so far. If you are a Harvard student, alum, faculty member, staff or fellow, you can add your name here.

Every signature adds weight to our call for repair. Together we can help end the global culture that tolerates the sexual abuse and exploitation of women and children, including the manifestations of this culture at Harvard, so that we can all live in a safer, freer, and more just world.