Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking - Florida Council Against Sexual ...

Domestic Minor SexTraffickingTyson ElliottDepartment of Children andFamilies

HUMAN TRAFFICKING• Sex Trafficking• Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking• Labor Trafficking• Domestic Servitude

Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking• Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking occurswhen a U.S. citizen or legal permanentresident who has not attained 18 years ofage is engaged in a commercial sex act.• Commercial sex act is any sex act on accountof which anything of value is given to orreceived by any person. This includesprostitution, exotic dancing/stripping,pornography.

Pimpin’ Ken says…• “A Pimp says he keeps a ho in the holebecause she is irresponsible. But the realreason is that the more someone dependson you, the more power you have overthem. To master someone completely,they have to depend on you foreverything.” -Pimpology

Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking• Domestic Trafficking• 357,600 children are reported missing eachyear in the U.S..• As many as 2.8 million children live on thestreets, within 48 hours of being out on theirown, 1/3 are recruited into prostitution.• Girls between the age of 11 and 15 are themost victimized members of our society.

Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking• Domestic Trafficking• 12-14 is the average age or entry intopornography and prostitution in the U.S..-NISMART

Numbers in Florida• Deltona/Daytona/Ormond 5.5• Gainesville 3• Jacksonville 19• Panama City 2• Tallahassee 4• Fort Walton Beach 3• Total 213

Numbers in Florida• According to DJJ• In FY 2009-2010 43 children are arrested forprostitution. (30 female and 13 male)• In FY 2010-2011 27 children are arrested forprostitution. (21 female and 6 male)• 6 male (3 Hillsborough, 1 Marion and Pinellas andManatee)

DCF Numbers• 46 counties had a DCF Human Traffickingreport between May of 2009 andSeptember of 2011• 689 reports involving over 600 children• According to the DCF Florida Abuse Hotline

DCF Numbers2011• Alachua 7 6• Bay 8 7• Bradford 1 1• Brevard 14 11• Broward 87 58• Charlotte 1 0• Citrus 3 2• Clay 6 4

DCF Numbers2011• Collier 2 3• Columbia 5 4• Desoto 2 1• Duval 28 17• Escambia 13 10• Flagler 2 4• Gadsden 1 1• Gilchrist 1 1

DCF Numbers2011• Hardee 4 0• Hendry 4 1• Hernando 7 4• Highlands 1• Hillsborough 76 51• Holmes 1 1• Indian River 5 6• Jackson 5 2

DCF Numbers2011• Jefferson 1 0• Lake 5 3• Lee 35 12• Leon 7 5• Levy 1 1• Manatee 12 2• Marion 18 10• Martin 5 3

DCF Numbers2011• Miami-Dade 104 86• Monroe 1 0• Nassau 1 0• Okaloosa 1 1• Okeechobee 1 0• Orange 58 49• Osceola 8 12• Palm Beach 38 12

DCF Numbers2011• Pasco 17 9• Pinellas 24 15• Polk 21 17• Putnam 4 6• Santa Rosa 2 2• Sarasota 11 5• Seminole 2 4• St. John’s 5 0

DCF Numbers2011• St. Lucie 9 3• Suwannee 1• Taylor 1 1• Union 1 0• Volusia 12 9• Wakulla 1 1• Walton 1

DCF Human TraffickingInvestigations• “The CPI and CPIS in this case were moreinterested in changing the coding toSpecial Conditions and missed severalimportant variables that alluded to thepossibility of Human Trafficking.”

DCF Human TraffickingInvestigations• “The victims were given alcohol andforced to perform sexual acts on at least 4different people. While counselingservices were referred, there was nofollow up with law enforcement on thecriminal investigation or attention paid tothe human trafficking maltreatment.”

DCF Human TraffickingInvestigations• “Allegations of domestic human traffickingshould have been verified. The statementfrom the victim child stated that she wascoerced and sexually exploited by an adultmale. She had two sexual acts with theadult male and was paid for it. The victimchild is 15 years of age and the adultoffender is 25 years of age.”

DCF Human TraffickingInvestigations• Two teen girls run away and are gone for 5days.• Mother hires a P.I. who locates them in a hotelroom and notifies LE. Upon entering, camerasare found pointed at the bed.• Child has sexual assault exam, is found with 3types of bacteria and tested positive formarijuana.• CPI did not interview other child who hadcompanion case and did not make contact withLE for case follow up.

DCF Human TraffickingInvestigations• “The CPI focused on the inadequatesupervision maltreatment with littleemphasis on the possibility of humantrafficking.”

• Allegation:DCF Human TraffickingInvestigations• “Mother is using and selling crack from thehome. Mother sent Kayla to another townto prostitute and Kayla brings the moneyback for her.” Report called in by relativewith another relative listed as someonewith knowledge.

DCF Human TraffickingInvestigations• Mother denied allegations as did child. NoMDT staffing and CPT not notified.• “CPI did not contact LE due to childdenied allegations. There is no evidenceto support allegations, no contact with LEmade during investigation. CPIS waivesthis task.”

DCF Human TraffickingInvestigations• Referral was made to CPT and:• CPT didn’t know DCF investigated HT• CPT doesn’t think an FI is needed

The Pimps

If it were only this easy…

Perpetrators Are …• Friends and family• Organized crime• Local gangs• Smugglers• Pimps/Madams• Husbands• Boyfriends• Employers• Basically ANYONE

The Pimps• A pimp is defined as someone who obtainsa customer for a prostitute• Research has consistently shown thatpimps are often perpetrators of violenceagainst prostituted women.

Operation Cross Country 5• November 10, 2010 More than five dozenchild prostitutes have been found in thelast three days as part of a nationwidecrackdown on the sexual exploitation ofchildren, 69 children were removed fromprostitution and 99 suspected pimps werearrested in 40 cities across 30 states andthe District of Columbia.

We’re Doing Good Right?• Since 2003, when the FBI and the JusticeDepartment launched the Innocence LostNational Initiative, about 1,250 childprostitutes have been located andremoved from prostitution.• Between 100,000 and 300,000 girls in theU.S. are subject to sexual trafficking everyyear.

Pimps in the news• March 8, 2011 Police arrested an AtlanticCity woman on charges of humantrafficking after she allegedly pimped outother women.• Alicia Stewart of the Waterside Building inAtlantic city was arrested on charges ofhuman trafficking and promotingprostitution, with additional chargespending, according to authorities.

Pimps in the news• February 10, 2011• A convicted Seattle pimp who's been onthe run for nearly two weeks has finallybeen arrested in California. Baruti Hopsonbolted just before being convicted ofpimping out a 12-year-old girl.

Pimps in the news• February 1, 2011 29-year-old ErickJermaine Banks was charged of sextraffickingin Baton Rouge. According topolice spokesman Sgt. Don Stone, Bank’svictim was a 15-year-old runawayteenager who was said to be used byBanks as a sexual instrument. Banks wasabout to leave the Extended Stay Americawhen he was spotted by police deputies.

Pimps in the news• February 2010 PHOENIX -- A 29-year-old manhas been arrested for allegedly prostituting a 16-year-old girl.• a 16-year-old girl walking eastbound on VanBuren with a man following close behind.Officers made contact with the girl, who said shehad run away from her home and the suspecthad taken her to Phoenix to work as aprostitute. A record check showed the victim hadbeen reported as a runaway.

Abduction and Control• October 2010 Los Angeles. Leo Braggs was arrested for kidnapping,raping and forcing at least two teen girls into prostitution, One 14-year-old girl, said she was riding a city bus by herself when she waskidnapped by pimp Leo Braggs. He locked her up for several daysand sexually assaulted her, preparing to force her into prostitution.However before he got that chance, police arrested him inconnection with another kidnapping of a 13-year-old girl. In theshort time Braggs had the 14-year-old girl under his control, he fedher large amounts of ecstasy and GHB, until she became addicted.He also tattooed his street name "The Snipe King" across herbreast, with the phrase "King Snipe's Bitch." The victim said therewere other girls and women in the apartment where she was held,some of them around her age. They were forced to return to theapartment with a certain amount of money each night, and if theyfailed, Braggs would beat them.

How do they find the girls?• Recruitment• From the street• Schools• Malls• Myspace, Facebook, UrbanChat, Black Planet• Abduction• Purchase or trade from another pimp

Big Business1 girl charges $100.00 per act.10 “dates” per night = $1,000.005 nights a week = $5,000.004 weeks a month = $20,000.0012 months a year = $240,000.00One girl for one pimp. Tax free.

DePaul College of Law“From victims to victimizers: Interviewswith 25 Ex-Pimps in Chicago”By Jody Raphael and Brenda Myers-PowellSeptember 2010

Profile of a Pimp• 88% Physical abuse growing up• 76% Victim of sexual assault• 88% DV in the home growing up• 84% Substance abuse in home growingup• 48%* Ran away from home• 24%* Committed to Foster Care

Quotes from Pimps• “I would look for girls who needed shit,who would do whatever to come out ofthe messed up homes and escape fromtheir fucked up parents. I pulled thesegirls. Women who had been abused bysome sucker and wanted better treatmentand nice things”

Quotes from Pimps• “Girls who ran away from home or wereput out by their parents. Ladies who werepretty but were on welfare, drop outs, youknow you can smell desperation. If she ishungry, she will go”

Quotes from Pimps• I looked for girls who were willing to traveland we’re running away from somethingor someone”

Quotes from Pimps• “Any player can tell when a girl has thelook of desperation that you know sheneeds attention or love. It’s somethingyou start to have a sixth sense about”

Quotes from Pimps• “I helped girls who no one else would. Ipicked up throwaways and runaways anddressed them up and taught them how tosurvive.”

Quotes from Pimps• “What would you look for? Broken bones,unhappy with parents, abused by somesucker”

Quotes from Pimps• “I wanted very pretty girls and youngbecause they took orders better. Whitegirls from the bars who like to get high.They were really a lot of profit but theydidn’t last long because they used toomany drugs. Most were 16 or 17 yearsold”

How much money was she allowedto keep?• “Nothing. I met all their needs. I wastheir doctor, layer, manager and financialadvisor.”• “That’s funny! None.”• “Daddy handles all money.”• “You can’t control your stable if you allowyour hos to keep a dime of the money.”

How much money was she allowedto keep?• “They paid me all of it. We were afamily.”• “I was the money handler. Hos don’tneed money.”• “I had all the cash. Money is power. Hoshave no power.”

Pimps on Society• “I see no one trying to stop this lifestyle(prostitution), so why condemn the peoplewho survive doing this? Don’t knock awoman who is struggling. You tell me ifwe didn’t sell our bodies to survive, hoelse would we take care of ourselves andour families?”

Pimps on Society• “As long as men can get away with it,there will always be prostitution.”• “If people want somebody to blame forthis, they need to look in the mirror. Weall contribute to this stuff one way or theother. If we didn’t there wouldn't be somuch money to be made.”

Pimps on Society• “The money is too good. It will neverstop. It’s alike stopping people fromeating. This game will never stop. Myopinion is that if a woman sells it, she'ssmarter than one that gives it away, and ifshe wants to help her man, then good forher.”

Pimps on Society• “As long as there are people with moneyand power, there will be poorer peoplewho they will be able to buy.”

Power and Control• “I was attracted to girls. I liked them andthey liked me. We all had one main thingin common. We were hustling hard andwanted nice things. We came from shittyplaces. It’s like we needed each other.”

Power and Control• “All my life I was pushed around, beat up,and treated like shit. I always got thehand-me-downs. I was never shown anylove or care. But when I got these ladieswho let me control and run their lives andgave me their money, and would dowhatever I said, I had all the cards in myhand. Every many wishes they were me.For the first time in my life I was numberone.”

The Victims

Prostitute vs. DMST Victim• A “bad kid” who is resistantto help and may not beworth the effort• Used as an insult/derogatoryterm• Supports myths andmisunderstanding of theissue and of youth involved• Wrongly equated with a“profession” or work• Punishable—youth deserveconsequences of sexualviolence, social isolation,incarceration, etc.• A young person whodeserves intensive supportand services• A young person who hasbeen sexually used, coerced,manipulated, and violentlycontrolled for anotherperson’s profit• Understanding of inequality,power imbalance• Takes into considerationvulnerability of children• Defines what has happenedto a child, rather than labelswho the child is

Prostitute vs. DMST Victim• Denies social responsibility andaccountability to address as anissue• A young person who has made aconscious and poor choice toenter the commercial sex industry• Call for social responsibility andaccountability to address as anissue• A child not developmentally orlegally, able to make the “choice”to have sex for money or tobecome involved in thecommercial sex industry

At Risk Factors• Poor relationship with parents.• Insecure.• Computer in home but isolated.• Feel misunderstood.• Willing to take risks.• Emotionally vulnerable.• Lonely or depressed.

At Risk Factors• History of sexual abuse.• Poverty.• History with CPS.• History of foster care.• Domestic Violence.• Substance Abuse in home.

Recruitment• Traffickers are known to engage in constant recruiting toattempt to entice children into their web of control.• Common recruiting locations include:• Junior high and high schools Courtrooms• Hallways of court buildings Foster homes• Bus stations Group homes• Homeless shelters Halfway houses• Restaurants and bars Parks and playgrounds• Malls

Recruitment• Jax- multiple DMST girls placed into thesame group home.• Ocala runaway from a group homerecruits another girl to join her.

Recruitment• Pimps manipulate their victims beginning with an initialperiod of false love and feigned affection. This initial periodis critical to attaining long-term mind-control.• This period often includes:• Warmth, gifts, compliments, and sexual and physical intimacy• Elaborate promises of a better life, fast money, and future luxuries• Purposeful and pre-meditated targeting of vulnerability (e.g., runaways,throwaways)• Purposeful targeting of minors due to naiveté, virginity, and youthfulappearance

Grooming• Grooming is a two-stage process priorto “turning-out” a girl.• First, the girl is made to feel attractiveand wanted. The pimp spends moneyon her and gives her special treatment.• Sex between the pimp and girl isalways part of the grooming process

Pimpin Ken Says…“Weakness is the best trait a person can findin someone they want to control. If youcan’t find a weakness, you have to createone. You have to tear someone’s egodown to nothing before they start lookingto you for salvation.”- Pimpology

Grooming• Stage 2 – the pimp will attempt tobreak a girl’s will through physical,sexual and verbal abuse to prepare herfor the “game”• Often involves gang rape• The pimp will move her around tobreak her from family/friend tiesHe was real sweet at first, then hebegan telling me, “You can’t stay inthis house for free.”Sharon, 17 year old

Why don’t they seek help?• Use and/or threat of violence• Fear, shame, self-blame, hopelessness• Dependency• Victims have become physically, financially, oremotionally, dependent on the pimp theyhave bonded with the abuser throughtraumatic bonding.

Why don’t they seek help?• Distrust of law enforcement• Debt bondage• Victims are sometimes trapped in never ending cyclesof fabricated debt and are made to believe theycannot leave until this debt is paid off• False promises• Victims are promised love, money, safety• Lack of knowledge of social systems• Victim’s don’t know how and where to seek help.

Pimpin’ Ken says..• “A bitch’s weakness is a pimp’ssweetness.”- Pimpology

Why don’t they seek help?• Threats to safety of anything they victimcares about (sibling, pet, family member)• What the victim cares about, is thatvictim’s “weakness”.

The Pimp’s Mindset• “You’ll start to dress her, think for her,own her. If you and your victim aresexually active, slow it down. After sex,take her shopping for one item. Hairand/or nails is fine.”• Excerpt from “The Pimp Game”

The Pimp’s Mindset• She’ll develop a feeling ofaccomplishment. The shopping after amonth will be replaced with cash. The lovemaking turns into raw sex. She’ll start tocrave the intimacy and be willing to getback into your good graces.• Excerpt from “The Pimp Game”

The Pimp’s Mindset• After you have broken her spirit, she hasno sense of self value. Now pimp, put aprice tag on the item you havemanufactured.”• Excerpt from “The Pimp Game”

The Pimp’s Mindset• “With the young girls, you promise themheaven, they’ll follow you to hell,” saidHarvey Washington, a pimp who beganserving a four year sentence in Arizona in2005 for pandering a 17-year-old andthree adult prostitutes.• “It all depends on her being so love-drunkoff of me that she will do anything forme.”

Red Flags• Excess amounts of cash• Hotel room keys• Signs of branding (jewelry, tattoo)• Inconsistencies in story• Lack of knowledge of a given communityor whereabouts• Presence of an overly controlling and/orabusive “boyfriend”

Red Flags• Inability to make eye contact• Signs of physical abuse or torture• Restricted/scripted communication• Frequent travel to other cities• Unexplained absences from school forperiods of time

Red Flags• Sudden change in attire, behavior, ormaterial possessions• References sexual situations beyond ageappropriate norms• Terminology common to sex industry• Promiscuous

Definitions• Guerilla Pimp- A pimp who regularly usesforce and threats the keep his prostitutesin line. Guerilla pimps are typically violentand have a high turnover rate ofprostitutes.• Romeo Pimp- Uses psychologicalmanipulation.

DefinitionsBottoms – the woman closest to the pimp.The most trusted woman in the stable.Second in command.• Teach the new girls how to make money effectively andefficiently• May demand the quota from the girls in the stable.• Part of the enforcement/punishment cycle

Definitions• Pimp Stick-A tool typically constructed byguerrilla pimps to keep their prostitutes inline. Pimp sticks are made from two wirecoat hangers where one has the end cutof and the looped though the first one.Finished tool should have a slight "Y"shape to it.

Definitions• Trunk ‘em- when the girls are picked up, ifthey did not meet their “quota” they aresometimes thrown in the trunk.• Bottom- Most trusted, closest to the pimp.2 nd in command.• Watchers- could be a driver, escort,ensure girls don’t escape, ensure customerpayment and ensure all money goes topimp.

Definitions• Daddy- what the girls call the pimp. Theyoften don’t know his real name or identity.• Pimp circle- where pimps swarm a girl andbeat her and call her names.• Quota- could me money from sex acts orcash and items from theft.• Stroll, Blade, Track- common area forprostitutes

Definitions• Stable- name for the girls under the pimpscontrol.• Coming Home- Bringing a new girl into thestable.• Out of pocket- when a girl has donesomething wrong (like looked a pimp inthe eyes).• Only pimps can walk on sidewalks. Girls mustwalk and stand on street.

Definitions• Knockin’- taking a prostitute from anotherpimp• Reckless Eyeballing- looking at anotherpimp or making eye contact with any pimp• Popcorn pimp or wannabes- leastrespected or newer pimps.

Who is to blame?

Who is to blame?• Where “the game” “the life” areromanticized and glamorized and theharm minimized.• A pimp is just a guy who is good with theladies• Ho is a sexy, hot look• Pimp/ho birthday parties• Pimp my ……..

At Risk Factors. Society Helping orHurting?• “Pimps” are celebrities.• Music songs and videos.• Pre teen shows.• Mom doing “stripper” or pole dancing workout.

Dave• David Pierre, 34, was sentenced in federal court in Fort Lauderdale on Oct.22 before U.S. District Judge William P. Dimitrouleas to 10 years in prisonto be followed by five years of supervised release as a sex offender.Additionally, Jenna Linden, 24, was sentenced in federal court on Sept. 23before Judge Dimitrouleas to five years in prison to be followed by threeyears of supervised release as a sex offender. Linden and Pierre pleadedguilty to sex trafficking a minor on July 15 and Aug.13, respectively.• The ICE-led investigation began in November 2008, after a 14-year-oldvictim of the escort service run by Pierre was rescued in Fort Lauderdale.Subsequently, another 16-year-old victim of Pierre's escort service wasdiscovered. Pierre operated a prostitution ring disguised as an escortservice from his Ft. Lauderdale residence. He advertised his business on theInternet. Linden assisted Pierre with transporting the underage victims tocustomers throughout the south Florida area.• The investigation was conducted by ICE's Office of Investigations in FortLauderdale with the assistance of Homestead Police Department, FortLauderdale Police Department, Broward County Sheriff's Office, and AlachuaCounty Sheriff's Office.

Now What?• She’s recovered!!• Dave the Pimp is in jail!!• She gets treatment and lives a “game”free lifestyle right?

• PanhandleHUMAN TRAFFICKINGTASKFORCESInvestigator George CollinsOkaloosa County Sheriff’s Officegcollins@sheriff.okaloosa.org850-259-8013

HUMAN TRAFFICKING• Tallahassee AreaTASKFORCESTerry CoonanFlorida State UniversityCenter for the Advancement of HumanRightstcoonan@admin.fsu.edu

HUMAN TRAFFICKINGTASKFORCESHomeland Security InvestigationsSpecial Agent Scott SpringerScott.springer@dhs.gov

Domestic Minor Sex TraffickingTyson ElliottStatewide Human Trafficking CoordinatorDepartment of Children and FamiliesTyson_elliott@dcf.state.fl.us850-717-4199