Portland’s ‘John School’ Program Aims to Divert Sex Buyers from Charges
In Portland, Oregon, the Sex Buyers Accountability and Diversion Program, commonly referred to as 'John School,' is conducted at the Portland Police Bureau's training facility. This eight-hour course is offered to men arrested for attempting to buy sex, providing education…
Portland, OR, September 8, 2026 —
In Portland, Oregon, a program designed to educate and potentially divert men arrested for attempting to purchase sex from criminal charges is being conducted at the Portland Police Bureau’s training facility. Known colloquially as ‘John School,’ the Sex Buyers Accountability and Diversion Program offers an eight-hour course aimed at addressing the demand side of sex trafficking and exploitation.
Participants in this program are men who have been arrested for soliciting or attempting to buy sex. The curriculum focuses on providing a comprehensive understanding of the realities and impacts of sex trafficking and exploitation. A key component of the program involves incorporating narratives from survivors of trafficking, offering participants a direct perspective on the harm caused by their actions.
Successful completion of the eight-hour course can result in a diversion from standard criminal charges. The program also educates attendees on the legal repercussions associated with purchasing sex. The specifics regarding the number of participants, completion rates, or any associated fees for the program were not detailed in the provided summary. The program is operated by the Portland Police Bureau.
Story summarized from the original created by Ezra Kaplan on www.kptv.com, see more information here.
