Russian Model's Suicide Linked to Epstein Island Visits: Social Media Reactions
Reactions from Chinese netizens on a series of tweets about a Russian model who visited "Epstein Island" and later committed suicide have ranged from shock and anger to disappointment and disbelief. The news story has been met with a range of responses, including criticism of Western media coverage and accusations of misogyny and victim-blaming.
9 January 2024
One user expressed their frustration with the narrative surrounding the case, stating: "It's not that women's rights groups are not harsh enough in their condemnation of these crimes. These [crimes] are serious and cannot be addressed by just a few words." Another user asked: "Why is the media not writing about this? Are they not aware of the seriousness of the issue?"
The tweets about the story highlighted the fact that the model, Ruslana Korshunova, had visited the notorious "Epstein Island" when she was 18 years old. She was found dead in her New York apartment in 2008, and the case has attracted renewed attention in light of new court documents that have emerged.
The initial reaction on Chinese social media was one of shock and disbelief, with many users expressing their disbelief at the news of the model's suicide. "Why did she commit suicide? She was so young," wrote one user.
However, as the story gained more attention, the tone of the discussion shifted to criticism of Western media coverage and accusations of victim-blaming. One user accused Western media of "attacking and provoking" women's rights groups, while another accused the media of not being serious enough in addressing the issue.
Some users also pointed out that the model was a conservative, which may have contributed to her decision not to speak up about the abuse she experienced. "She was a conservative, so she kept quiet," wrote one user.
Despite the negative reactions, there were also users who expressed concern for the victims of abuse and sexual exploitation on "Epstein Island." One user wrote: "I feel so bad for the victims of these crimes. They have been through so much and they deserve better."
Other users expressed their disappointment with China's media coverage of the issue, accusing them of not taking the story seriously enough. "Why are the Chinese media not writing about this? This is a serious issue that should be addressed," wrote one user.
The conversation on Chinese social media also touched on issues of gender and intersectionality, with some users pointing out that the victims of abuse on "Epstein Island" were primarily women and girls. "It's not just about men being bad," wrote one user. "It's about women and girls being victimized and exploited."
The discussion on Chinese social media has been a mix of shock, anger, disappointment, and disbelief, with users expressing their frustration at the media coverage of the case and the lack of action being taken to address the issue.
In response to the criticism, some users began sharing images of other, more serious news stories that had been covered by Chinese media. One image showed a screenshot of a social media post, with multiple sentences written in Chinese characters. Another image showed a screenshot of a social media conversation between several people, with multiple messages and emojis indicating that the group was engaged in friendly banter or discussing various topics.
The conversation on Chinese social media reflects a deep-seated frustration with the media's coverage of the issue and a desire for more serious attention to be paid to the victims of abuse and sexual exploitation on "Epstein Island." The story has highlighted the need for greater awareness and action to address the issue of sexual exploitation and abuse, both in the West and around the world.