As King Charles prepares for a state visit to the United States, a quiet but determined protest is brewing in Washington D.C. Rina Oh, a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, plans a poignant gesture: a mock tea party outside the White House gates, a symbolic invitation to a monarch she believes could offer real solace.
Oh’s resolve stems from disappointment. Despite a plea from Congressman Ro Khanna – a key figure in releasing the Epstein Files – it appears the King will not meet with survivors during his trip. This decision, understood to be linked to ongoing UK police investigations involving Prince Andrew, hasn’t deterred Oh from making her voice heard.
She envisions a simple scene: a reserved chair, a sign bearing the King’s name, and a gathering of survivors quietly awaiting an opportunity for acknowledgment. It’s not about apologies, Oh insists, but about tangible action – a demonstration of genuine support beyond words.
The core of Oh’s request is a call for sustained funding for mental health treatment. She describes a landscape where many survivors, left shattered by Epstein’s crimes, lack the resources to heal. “We want action,” she states, “If he were really sorry, he would support the victims by making sure they get proper mental health treatment.”
While a $10 million fund exists in the US Virgin Islands, financed by a JPMorgan Chase settlement, it’s limited in scope and set to expire in 2028. Oh estimates it only covers around 200 survivors, a fraction of the estimated 1,000 victims identified by the FBI and Department of Justice. The looming expiration date is a source of deep anxiety, potentially undoing years of progress.
Oh believes the Royal Family, with its established commitment to mental health initiatives, is uniquely positioned to fill this critical gap. She points to King Charles’s patronage of Combat Stress and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales’s “Heads Together” campaign, as evidence of their dedication to well-being.
Beyond immediate therapy, Oh proposes a scholarship fund to help survivors reclaim lost opportunities. Epstein, she explains, systematically destroyed dreams and aspirations. Many victims were robbed of education and careers, leaving them struggling to rebuild their lives. She herself is preparing to begin a Master’s degree in Fine Arts, a testament to her own resilience.
The demand for royal support is gaining momentum. Lauren Hersh, national director of anti-trafficking organization World Without Exploitation, “absolutely supports” Oh’s call, emphasizing that providing comprehensive mental health support is a “moral obligation.” Hersh believes royal funding would send a powerful message of accountability and recognition.
Oh’s plea isn’t about assigning blame, but about fostering healing. She argues that funding therapy wouldn’t be an admission of wrongdoing, but a concrete demonstration of the King’s stated sympathy for survivors. It’s a request for a legacy of genuine support, a chance to turn words into lasting change.
The quiet tea party planned outside the White House is more than a protest; it’s a beacon of hope, a testament to the enduring strength of survivors, and a challenge to a monarchy with a history of compassion to step forward and truly make a difference.
