Who We Serve
We serve all survivors of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) who have ever identified as female (including gender fluid and gender non-binary survivors) in their life. We serve both youth survivors and adult survivors. There is no age limitations to who we can serve.
WHAT IS CSE?
Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) refers to the sexual abuse or exploitation of a person for the financial benefit of any person or in exchange for anything of value (including monetary and non-monetary benefits) given or received by any person. CSE also includes situations where a person, engages in sexual activity in exchange for anything of value, which includes non-monetary things such as food, shelter, drugs, or protection from any person.
Commercial sexual exploitation manifests in numerous forms, such as sex trafficking, human trafficking, familial trafficking, escorting, prostitution, survival sex, sex tourism, pornography, child marriages, performance in sexual venues (like stripping), and online or electronic transmission of people engaged in sexual activities (like OnlyFans).
(Participants often have privacy concerns that prevent them from disclosing information during intakes. OPS does not require that any information be shared in order to access services. Unknown or undisclosed information is not included below.)
Stats & Quotes from our Participants
“I never knew a place like OPS existed. I am so grateful that I am not alone.”
11-81
is the age range at time of intake
“We are so lucky to be able to come in and talk about these things. There is no other place we can do this.”
6
Washington counties are represented among OPS participants
“I didn’t understand my past before I came to OPS.”
62%
of participants who identified their race are Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color
75%
of participants have a physical, mental, or developmental disability
Art by OPS Participant NM
“Having access to art is such a huge thing for people in survival mode.”
“My choice has grown with me and my community of women who have helped me fall in love with myself.”
1 in 3
of participants who identified a sexuality are LGBTQ+
Half
of participants were either homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness during intake
“I have never felt so seen and heard as a survivor until I walked through these doors. I am speechless.”
“I can’t believe this places exists, I thought I was all alone out here.”
Art by OPS staff Martha Linehan
3/4
of participants have been involved in the criminal justice system