A Survivor’s Call for Action
An Epstein survivor has expressed her determination to wait outside the White House during King Charles’s state visit, hoping to meet with the monarch. Rina Oh, who was groomed and sexually assaulted by Jeffrey Epstein from the age of 21, is prepared to hold a mock tea party with other victims at the White House gates, with an empty chair reserved for the King. The campaigner believes that the Royals should prove their support for survivors by funding their therapy costs. Her call for the King to donate to mental health care for Epstein’s victims has been backed by the US’s leading anti-trafficking organisation, World Without Exploitation.
A State Visit and a Request
Charles will visit the US with Queen Camilla at the end of April to mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence, where he will meet President Trump and address Congress. Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, who spearheaded the release of the Epstein Files, wrote to the King last week asking him to meet the sex offender’s victims. However, it is understood that Charles will not be able to meet survivors during the trip. Oh, who lives in New Jersey, said that would not stop her from visiting Washington DC to see the Monarch. She told [source] that if the King and Queen really do support the victims, then it would be a nice gesture to meet with some of them. She added that they’ll set up a guest chair, with a sign reading ‘reserved for King Charles’.
Royal Position and Ongoing Investigations
It is understood that the King and Queen’s position is that they will not be able to meet with survivors due to ongoing UK police investigations into matters related to Epstein. The King’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested by Thames Valley Police in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. There are fears any Royal meeting with victims would risk prejudicing these investigations into Andrew. Virginia Giuffre accused Andrew of sexual abuse, which he denies. The King and Queen said in a statement in October that ‘their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.’ Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Survivor’s Message: We Want Action
Survivor Teresa Helm told [source] last week she was disappointed the King will not be able to meet survivors, saying a gathering would help police investigations. Oh has one clear request of the King if she met him: fund therapy for survivors. She said, “We don’t need any apologies. We want action. If he were really sorry, he would support the victims by making sure they get proper mental health treatment.” Oh pointed out that the royal family is very big into mental health care. She noted that some victims are a complete mess, with many non-functional survivors.
The Current Mental Health Fund
The US Virgin Islands is currently running a $10 million mental health fund for some Epstein survivors, financed by a settlement from JPMorgan Chase Bank over their alleged links to Epstein’s trafficking. However, only a limited number of survivors—Oh estimates around 200—who were involved in past Epstein-related lawsuits are eligible, and the fund is due to expire in 2028. The FBI and Department of Justice estimate that Jeffrey Epstein had more than 1,000 victims. Oh says that the Royal Family should begin funding therapy for survivors not covered by the Virgin Islands programme and replace that fund when it expires in 2028.
A Moral Obligation
Anti-trafficking organisation World Without Exploitation, one of the lead groups supporting Epstein survivors, said they ‘absolutely support’ Oh’s demand. Their national director, Lauren Hersh, said, “For decades, many survivors have carried the weight of unimaginable trauma without acknowledgment or compensation. Providing comprehensive mental health support is not only necessary—it is a moral obligation.” Oh also pointed to the Royal Family’s long history of supporting mental health causes as a reason why they would want to help Epstein’s survivors. The King is patron of Combat Stress, where he has taken an active interest in their work to provide specialist mental health treatment to former service personnel with military-related trauma. He is also the ‘highlight[s] the importance of mental health’ as patron of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
A Vision for the Future
Oh also suggested the Royal Family could set up a scholarship fund for vocational training and higher education for survivors. She added, “Before they met Jeffrey Epstein, a lot of these girls had career aspirations and dreams, and he crushed them. That is what he did with me. A lot of victims never graduated from high school or went to college or had a career.” The mum says she knows the importance of finding this purpose as she is due to begin a Master’s in Fine Arts in June.
