Prosecution for prostitution under RCW 9A.88.030 — Affirmative defense.
RCW 9A.88.040
in effectIn any prosecution for prostitution under RCW 9A.88.030 , it is an affirmative defense that the actor committed the offense as a result of being a victim of trafficking, RCW 9A.40.100 , promoting prostitution in the first degree, RCW 9A.88.070 , or trafficking in persons under the trafficking victims protection act of 2000, 22 U.S.C. Sec. 7101 et seq. Documentation that the actor is named as a current victim in an information or the investigative records upon which a conviction is obtained for trafficking, promoting prostitution in the first degree, or trafficking in persons shall create a presumption that the person's participation in prostitution was a result of having been a victim of trafficking, promoting prostitution in the first degree, or trafficking in persons.
In any prosecution for prostitution under RCW 9A.88.030 , it is an affirmative defense that the actor committed the offense as a result of being a victim of trafficking, RCW 9A.40.100 , promoting prostitution in the first degree, RCW 9A.88.070 , or trafficking in persons under the trafficking victims protection act of 2000, 22 U.S.C. Sec. 7101 et seq. Documentation that the actor is named as a current victim in an information or the investigative records upon which a conviction is obtained for trafficking, promoting prostitution in the first degree, or trafficking in persons shall create a presumption that the person's participation in prostitution was a result of having been a victim of trafficking, promoting prostitution in the first degree, or trafficking in persons.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9A.88&full=trueFetched: 6/28/2026