They were children! GIRLS who were preyed upon & unable to make a well informed decision about what they were involved in. And if (and I’m sure) drugs were involved they were sex slaves unable to leave!
Most of them had very tough home situations and needed money badly. One girl saw her step father kill her little brother in front of her. What I read Epstein wanted to be serviced 3 times a day and girlfriend Maxwell didn't want to so hence she hunted for vulnerable girls.
And these were powerful men who likely threatened them and their families if they didn’t do as they were told. He should be rotting in a prison cell now or preferably playing twister in hell with Epstein.