Message From The Director

Human trafficking in the sex trade is now a high priority in the international political arena. Yet here in Washington DC, the capital of this administration's “compassionate America”, an average of 700 women a year are arrested, jailed, and processed into the criminal justice system on charges of Solicitation/Prostitution. The majority of these women are homeless, drug-addicted, exploited by pimps or boyfriends, and violently abused by their “customers”. They are victims of a multi-billion dollar sex industry that is flourishing not only in the developing world, but less than a mile from the White House and Capitol Hill.


A Collaboration of Government Agencies

In 2001, Bridges and the First Offender Program for men (“ John School ”) were created as an alternative to the “revolving door” of solicitation/prostitution-- from court to jail to street and back around again. Following the SAGE model in San Francisco , Bridges and the John School are a collaboration of DC Superior Court, U.S. Attorney's Office, Court Services and Offenders Supervision Agency, The Metropolitan Police Department, and the Pre-Trial Services Agency. Bridges offers survivors of the sex industry a one month (20 hours) outpatient recovery program that offers a way out to those who choose it. Concentrating our efforts on a small group, we have been able to offer personal attention to each one.

Bridges Program

Bridges is a spiritually based program that reaches out to hurting women with compassion, understanding, and support. We offer referrals to appropriate medical, mental health, and drug treatment agencies. We also refer to housing and vocational services, which are necessary for continued survival. Bridges works in collaboration with 30 day drug treatment programs so that women can complete drug treatment and Bridges simultaneously. Bridges 20 hour program runs every month and 20 hours are completed within each month. Our staff is a combination of professionals and survivors in recovery.

If you would like to help fight prostitution by either combating the demand or helping survivors recover, please contact Bridges.