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The Lasting Harm

Witnessing the Trial of Ghislaine Maxwell

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WINNER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD

WINNER OF THE DAVITT AWARD

SHORTLISTED FOR THE GORDON BURN PRIZE

SHORTLISTED FOR THE DOUGLAS STEWART PRIZE

SHORTLISTED FOR THE VICTORIAN PREMIER'S LITERARY PRIZE

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2025 NED KELLY AWARD FOR BEST TRUE CRIME

LONGLISTED FOR THE WALKLEY BOOK AWARD

LONGLISTED FOR THE NIB LITERARY AWARD

'THE BEST BOOK ON EPSTEIN' OBSERVER

'I understand – and sympathise with – the feeling you might have that you already know the Jeffrey Epstein story. But I am not here to tell you a story about Jeffrey Epstein, or even Ghislaine Maxwell. I am here to tell you the stories of ten women, many of whom have never spoken at length before, about the real impact of sexual trauma on their lives'

In November 2021, Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of five counts of sex-trafficking of minors, and now faces twenty years in prison for the role she played in Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse of four girls. The trial was meticulously covered by journalist and legal reporter Lucia Osborne-Crowley, one of the only reporters allowed into the courtroom every day.

The Lasting Harm is her account of that trial, a gripping true crime drama and a blistering critique of a criminal justice system ill-equipped to deliver justice for abuse survivors, no matter the outcome.

Giving voice to four women and their testimonies, and supplemented by exclusive interviews, The Lasting Harm brings this incendiary trial to life, questions our age-old appetite for crime and punishment and offers a new blueprint for meaningful reparative justice.

©2024 Lucia Osborne-Crowley (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers
Abuse Corruption & Misconduct Gender Studies Law Politics & Government Relationships Sexual Abuse & Harassment Social Sciences Crime

Critic reviews

'Powerful, vivid and affecting. A thoughtful, responsible, compassionate account of the consequences of crime' David Nicholls, author of One Day

'Urgent, necessary and courageous' Elizabeth Day, author of How To Fail

'Brilliantly unsettling. Excels in its empathy, insight and ability to gently expose the reader to themselves' Guardian

'A blazing book that puts the criminal justice system under the microscope' Independent

'The definitive voice on the Epstein horror' Owen Jones

'Painful and candid' Observer

'This book will make you think about trauma in a new light' Evening Standard

‘Osborne-Crowley writes from the unique position of legal expertise and lived experience. This makes her a compassionate authority. She is helping the world to understand the legacy of the trauma’ Vicky Spratt, author of Tenants

‘A tenacious and empathetic chronicler of the world who provides a voice for those who have been silenced' Rebecca Watson, author of Little Scratch

'We don't need another book about rich men. The book we need is this one: centering the stories of vulnerable teenage girls and how they were used up and thrown away by those rich men' Jolyon Maugham, Director of the Good Law Project

'Osborne-Crowley’s vital work is driven by integrity, a desire to bear witness, a dedication to the experiences and truths of those who so often go unheard and unheeded' Kieran Goddard, author of I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning

' Osborne-Crowley has a deep commitment to telling survivor stories. She is a courageous silence-breaker: she broke the silence by sharing her own story and now devotes her skills to help others tell theirs. We need more journalists like her' Jennifer Robinson, award-winning barrister

All stars
Most relevant
I loved this brave, informed and important book. Beautifully narrated. Explains the impact and complexities of child abuse and how traumatic memory works.

The triumph of the human spirit

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Downloaded this by lucky accident. It is superbly written withmatching narration. As a barrister i have acted in rape trials in the uk. I wish i had heard this years ago and that all my colleagues would hear this- it provides a real insight. Thank you LOC.

A learning experience

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such an important listen , everyone should read this book , such an emotional book

wow

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It is a rare combined tapestry of an engaging writer, honest and sensitive content but from a quite amazing person whose own life and growth so deeply connects to these victims. I considered myself astute and understanding but any lingering lack of knowledge about the grooming and manipulation has been filled in. I wish the author her own peace and love as she most certainly is a special lady.

Exceptional, authentic and informative

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This helps you understand why talking about rape experiences is so difficult. Excellent explanations from the experts.

A detailed story

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