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'Surviving Epstein': What is grooming? Shaun King's tweets on Maxwell, Epstein's sex ring will blow your mind

Writer and civil rights activist Shaun King rolled out a string of tweets to talk about the horrors of the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell scandal

Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was arrested on July 6, 2019, on federal charges for the sex trafficking of minors in Florida and New York and died in prison on August 10, 2019. Lifetime's new four-part documentary titled ‘Surviving Epstein’ investigates the billionaire who allegedly used his connections to the rich and famous to shield his predatory behavior with young girls. What's more, it delves deeper into how Epstein set up a pseudo-sexual Ponzi scheme to bring in underaged girls and "the aftermath the survivors are experiencing with no justice to be served".

The official summary of the docuseries reads: "Following the impact of Lifetime’s 'Surviving R. Kelly' and 'Surviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reckoning', the network continues to raise the voices of survivors with Surviving Jeffrey Epstein, in line with Lifetime’s Stop Violence Against Women initiative to provide a platform and resources for women." After it aired on August 9, the documentary ruffled many feathers on the internet. Among all the celebrities and internet users, writer and civil rights activist Shaun King rolled out a string of tweets to talk about the horrors of the Epstein scandal.

Calling him a "monster", he wrote, "Watching #SurvivingEpstein right now on @lifetimetv. It is maddening what Jeffrey Epstein was able to get away with for a whole damn generation. A monster," and added, "Every single survivor who has come forward to tell their story and expose the horrific acts of Jeffrey Epstein in #SurvivingEpstein is a hero."

He also went on to explain what the word "grooming" really means. "Hearing the survivors in #SurvivingEpstein talk about the way he 'groomed' them, I think it's super important everyone understand what these terms mean, and how predators like him trap their victims," his tweet read.

In another tweet, he expressed his shock and said, "I honestly didn't know this. Jeffrey Epstein was grooming little girls for sexual assault when they were 13 years old. And it was widely known in his circles. He didn't even keep it a secret. #SurvivingEpstein right now on Lifetime."

"The national elephant in the room is that while Jeffrey Epstein was openly grooming and molesting CHILDREN, he was developing relationships with men and women in power all over the world. The two aren't mutually exclusive either. #SurvivingEpstein on Lifetime right now," one tweet read.

Another tweet said, "Jeffrey Epstein chose vulnerable young girls to attack and abuse. He was methodical about it. He knew what the f**k he was doing. Despicable. #SurvivingEpstein." 

Talking about how many women went through the ordeal, he posted, "40. That are known. #SurvivingEpstein."

"The fact that Jeffrey Epstein was able to abuse CHILDREN while so many people knew speaks to the gross ability of wealth to manipulate the desperate and protect the powerful," one tweet read. Another said, "Epstein left a trail of hidden crimes behind him for decades. He was a trained, professional manipulator." In another tweet, he said, "'One sexual assault can completely change the quality of life for the victim' Epstein led these young girls down a dark path of vices in order to cope with what he put them through. #SurvivingEpstein."

King then went on to say: "Ghislaine Maxwell was CRITICAL in allowing the cycle of sexual abuse at the hands of Epstein to continue for as long as it did. She brought him vulnerable girls. She was in on it every step of the way," and added, "Ghislaine Maxwell sexually abused and trafficked young girls. For anyone who is ignorant enough to believe that women cannot also commit crimes of rape and sexual assault, this is your proof that they can."

He then went on to say, "Let's not forget that the 36 girls Epstein abused are only the ones who felt safe enough to come forward against him. In his decades of abuse, there are most likely hundreds more who do not feel they can / should come forward." 

He then added: "The way the American justice system works to personally attack and discredit the victims of heinous crimes in order to protect the rich and powerful is devastating, yet unsurprising." 

He ended his tweet thread by saying: "When we say, or tweet, or hashtag 'Believe Survivors' we must mean it. It must go past words and turn to actions. In a country whose criminal justice system is not meant to protect survivors, we have to be allies. We have to be advocates. #SurvivingEpstein."

The docuseries brings forth the dark tales of victims like Courtney Wild, Rachel Kay Benavides and Virginia Roberts Giuffre in the series, among new victims coming forward for the first time. Not just that, the series continued filming to add how the British socialite and alleged Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested on July 2, 2020. While the first two episodes, 'Lured' and 'Trapped' premiered on August 9, two more episodes titled 'No Way Out' and 'Avenged' directed by Anne Sundberg and Ricki Stern will be telecast on August 10 at 9 pm ET.