From Victims to Victimizers: - DePaul in the News - DePaul University
From Victims to Victimizers: - DePaul in the News - DePaul University
From Victims to Victimizers: - DePaul in the News - DePaul University
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<strong>From</strong> <strong>Victims</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Victimizers</strong>:<br />
Interviews with 25 Ex-Pimps <strong>in</strong> Chicago<br />
By Jody Raphael and Brenda Myers-Powell<br />
September 2010<br />
A report from <strong>the</strong> Schiller DuCan<strong>to</strong> & Fleck Family Law Center of <strong>DePaul</strong> <strong>University</strong> College of Law
Researcher Brenda Myers-Powell (left) and<br />
<strong>DePaul</strong> Senior Research Fellow Jody Raphael<br />
Introduction<br />
This research project is a follow-up <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Schiller DuCan<strong>to</strong> &<br />
Fleck Family Law Center’s 2008 research with 100 girls sell<strong>in</strong>g<br />
sex <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Chicago metropolitan area who were under <strong>the</strong><br />
control of a pimp. 1 That study raised a series of questions<br />
about just who Chicago pimps are and <strong>the</strong> operation and<br />
organization of <strong>the</strong> Chicago sex trade. Answers <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />
questions would <strong>in</strong>form law enforcement efforts <strong>to</strong> end <strong>the</strong><br />
recruitment, traffick<strong>in</strong>g and exploitation of vulnerable young<br />
girls <strong>in</strong> Chicago’s sex trade <strong>in</strong>dustry.<br />
In April 2009, <strong>the</strong> Center issued <strong>the</strong> results of a pilot project<br />
<strong>in</strong> which five male ex-pimps were surveyed. 2 That study<br />
uncovered <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g and important <strong>in</strong>formation about how<br />
pimps became <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustry, <strong>the</strong> organization of<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir bus<strong>in</strong>ess, how <strong>the</strong>y <strong>in</strong>teracted with law enforcement, and<br />
why <strong>the</strong>y left prostitution. Because <strong>the</strong> small size of <strong>the</strong><br />
sample limited <strong>the</strong> applicability of <strong>the</strong> research f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs, <strong>the</strong><br />
Center determ<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>to</strong> expand <strong>the</strong> research. Fund<strong>in</strong>g from <strong>the</strong><br />
NoVo Foundation (through <strong>the</strong> Chicago Alliance Aga<strong>in</strong>st<br />
Sexual Exploitation) and <strong>the</strong> <strong>DePaul</strong> College of Law Dean’s<br />
Innovation Fund enabled <strong>the</strong> Center <strong>to</strong> expand <strong>the</strong> research <strong>to</strong><br />
a <strong>to</strong>tal of 25 ex-pimps and madams.<br />
Pimps were recruited and <strong>in</strong>terviewed by prostitution survivor<br />
Brenda Myers-Powell us<strong>in</strong>g a 91-question survey <strong>in</strong>strument.<br />
Ms. Myers-Powell located pimps known <strong>to</strong> her dur<strong>in</strong>g her time<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess and was referred <strong>to</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs by those she<br />
<strong>in</strong>terviewed. Participants were provided a cash honorarium<br />
upon completion of <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>terview. Interviews occurred<br />
between September 2009 and May 2010 <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Chicago<br />
metropolitan area. They <strong>to</strong>ok place <strong>in</strong> public spaces, usually <strong>in</strong><br />
private areas of restaurants. Each <strong>in</strong>terview lasted between<br />
one <strong>to</strong> two hours.<br />
The number of extant pimp research studies is low,<br />
undoubtedly due <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> difficulties <strong>in</strong> f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g pimps for<br />
<strong>in</strong>terview and concerns about security, <strong>in</strong> addition <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
mistaken view that pimp<strong>in</strong>g no longer was as prevalent as it<br />
once was. Although this research adds <strong>to</strong> our body of<br />
knowledge, it does have limitations. This convenience sample<br />
cannot be deemed <strong>to</strong> represent <strong>the</strong> entire world of pimps. The<br />
sample rema<strong>in</strong>s small, but it is similar <strong>in</strong> size <strong>to</strong> several o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
pimp samples, which present similar data (<strong>to</strong> be discussed<br />
below). As it happens, <strong>the</strong> pimps located by Ms. Myers-Powell<br />
represent a variety of types of <strong>in</strong>volvement <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> sex trade<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry and thus can, even with <strong>the</strong> limitations, provide useful<br />
<strong>in</strong>formation for those work<strong>in</strong>g on crim<strong>in</strong>al justice strategies<br />
and general cultural approaches <strong>to</strong> reduce <strong>the</strong> amount of<br />
sexual exploitation <strong>in</strong> our society.<br />
1 “Domestic Sex Traffick<strong>in</strong>g of Chicago Women and Girls,” May 2008 report, available at www.law.depaul.edu/family.<br />
2 “Interviews with Five Ex-Pimps <strong>in</strong> Chicago,” 2009 report, available at www.law.depaul.edu/family.
I. SAMPLE DEMOGRAPHICS<br />
Table 1: Profile of pimps and madams (n=25)<br />
Racial and ethnic breakdown<br />
Black 64%<br />
White 20%<br />
Hispanic 4%<br />
Biracial 8%<br />
Male 72%<br />
Female 28%<br />
Percent without high school degree 64%<br />
Men 61%<br />
Women 71%<br />
Average age at onset of pimp<strong>in</strong>g 22.48<br />
Average number of years pimp<strong>in</strong>g 15.6<br />
Range of years of pimp<strong>in</strong>g 4-28<br />
Percent who sold sex prior <strong>to</strong> pimp<strong>in</strong>g 68%<br />
Men 56%<br />
Women 100%<br />
Average age of onset of sell<strong>in</strong>g sex<br />
Sample 15.4<br />
Women 14.4<br />
Men 16<br />
Range of yearly earn<strong>in</strong>gs $150,000-$500,000<br />
Number of women pimped 4,135 m<strong>in</strong>imum (range of 20-800 lifetime)<br />
Number of women at any given time 2-30<br />
Percent addicted <strong>to</strong> alcohol while pimp<strong>in</strong>g 20%<br />
Percent addicted <strong>to</strong> drugs while pimp<strong>in</strong>g 16%<br />
II. HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS<br />
Table 2: Household characteristics<br />
Physical abuse while grow<strong>in</strong>g up 88%<br />
Childhood sexual assault 76%<br />
Average age of onset of childhood<br />
sexual assault 9.5<br />
Domestic violence <strong>in</strong> home 88%<br />
Drugs and alcohol abuse <strong>in</strong> home 84%<br />
Family members <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> prostitution 60%<br />
Neighborhood members <strong>in</strong>volved<br />
<strong>in</strong> prostitution 64%<br />
Regular self-use of alcohol as child 84%<br />
Average age of onset of alcohol use 12.5<br />
Committed <strong>to</strong> foster care 24%<br />
Ran away from home due <strong>to</strong> physical<br />
or sexual abuse 48%<br />
1
2<br />
Physical Abuse and Sexual Assault<br />
The overwhelm<strong>in</strong>g majority of ex-pimps suffered<br />
physical abuse and sexual assault while grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
up and watched <strong>the</strong>ir mo<strong>the</strong>r be<strong>in</strong>g physically<br />
assaulted by <strong>the</strong>ir fa<strong>the</strong>rs, stepfa<strong>the</strong>rs or<br />
boyfriends. One pimp’s mo<strong>the</strong>r was killed by his<br />
alcoholic fa<strong>the</strong>r while <strong>the</strong> child was hid<strong>in</strong>g<br />
beh<strong>in</strong>d <strong>the</strong> couch. After that time he was placed<br />
<strong>in</strong> foster care, where he was sexually abused at<br />
age seven by <strong>the</strong> foster fa<strong>the</strong>r—abuse which<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ued until he ran away at age 15. One expimp<br />
said he saw his mo<strong>the</strong>r, a prostituted<br />
woman, beaten badly by a boyfriend, and he<br />
swore <strong>to</strong> “get him when I got big, and I did.”<br />
He was subject <strong>to</strong> physical abuse from <strong>the</strong>se<br />
boyfriends and sexual abuse from a “neighbor<br />
lady friend” of his mo<strong>the</strong>r’s when he was 10<br />
years old.<br />
One woman said she was sexually abused as<br />
early as six years old by “whoever my mom, a<br />
prostituted hero<strong>in</strong> addict, wanted <strong>to</strong> sell me <strong>to</strong>.”<br />
Her own mo<strong>the</strong>r sexually abused her:<br />
“Whenever she got high she would stick th<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
<strong>in</strong> me until I ran away.” Ano<strong>the</strong>r woman<br />
reported that her mo<strong>the</strong>r and fa<strong>the</strong>r were bikers<br />
and “lived <strong>the</strong> life of drugs. He passed her<br />
[mo<strong>the</strong>r] around” and beat her as well. She was<br />
subjected <strong>to</strong> physical abuse from her parents<br />
“ever s<strong>in</strong>ce I can remember” and childhood<br />
sexual assault from “my mom and dad’s biker<br />
buddies” between age seven and 13, when she<br />
ran away. She also began abus<strong>in</strong>g alcohol at age<br />
n<strong>in</strong>e. She said she was attracted <strong>to</strong> pimp<strong>in</strong>g<br />
because “I created my own family, not <strong>the</strong><br />
bastards I came from.” One male <strong>to</strong>ld of <strong>the</strong><br />
jani<strong>to</strong>r <strong>in</strong> his build<strong>in</strong>g who used <strong>to</strong> give him<br />
money “<strong>to</strong> suck my d---,” a practice that lasted a<br />
year between <strong>the</strong> ages of 12 and 13. “One day<br />
me and a few of my friends beat and robbed<br />
him. He moved.”<br />
Some of <strong>the</strong> physical and sexual abuse was at <strong>the</strong><br />
hands of foster parents. One pimp, who really<br />
didn’t know his mo<strong>the</strong>r or fa<strong>the</strong>r, grew up <strong>in</strong> foster<br />
care and group homes. He experienced childhood<br />
sexual assault from a foster fa<strong>the</strong>r at age 12 about<br />
once a week for a year, and began abus<strong>in</strong>g alcohol<br />
at that time. Ano<strong>the</strong>r said he “watched different<br />
foster mo<strong>the</strong>rs get busted up.”<br />
Drug use was not prevalent while grow<strong>in</strong>g up,<br />
with <strong>the</strong> exception of adolescent use of<br />
marijuana. But <strong>the</strong> large majority of <strong>the</strong> sample<br />
(84%) said <strong>the</strong>y began regular alcohol use at<br />
young ages, dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> times of physical and<br />
sexual abuse.<br />
Prostitution as a Family Bus<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
The majority of our sample (60%) came from<br />
homes <strong>in</strong> which prostitution was <strong>the</strong> family<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>ess. Over half (53%) of those with family<br />
members <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> prostitution said <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
mo<strong>the</strong>rs were prostitut<strong>in</strong>g and/or pimp<strong>in</strong>g. O<strong>the</strong>rs<br />
<strong>in</strong>volved were uncles, sisters and cous<strong>in</strong>s. Some of<br />
<strong>the</strong>se family members prostituted <strong>the</strong> participants<br />
at young ages, often aga<strong>in</strong>st <strong>the</strong>ir will.<br />
In addition, <strong>the</strong> majority of our sample (64%)<br />
saw neighborhood persons <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> sex<br />
trade <strong>in</strong>dustry. As one commented, “There were<br />
lots of guys mak<strong>in</strong>g money, driv<strong>in</strong>g nice cars<br />
and dress<strong>in</strong>g nice.” Although <strong>the</strong>y experienced<br />
abuse at <strong>the</strong> hands of <strong>the</strong>ir mo<strong>the</strong>rs and<br />
mo<strong>the</strong>rs’ boyfriends who were <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
sex trade <strong>in</strong>dustry, <strong>the</strong> pimps also saw <strong>the</strong><br />
material ga<strong>in</strong>s that flowed from participation.<br />
The message was that one should be paid for<br />
sex and that sex would provide monetary<br />
benefits. One pimp, who asserted he knew he<br />
was a “trick baby,” related that his mo<strong>the</strong>r<br />
always said, “I could and would get paid by<br />
women. She taught me.” He always had nice<br />
th<strong>in</strong>gs: “My mom saw <strong>to</strong> that. She used <strong>to</strong> give<br />
me money. I guess it was her way of mak<strong>in</strong>g up<br />
for all <strong>the</strong> crazy sh-- that went on <strong>in</strong> our house.”<br />
As we shall discover, <strong>the</strong>se childhood<br />
experiences impacted on <strong>the</strong> men and women’s<br />
decisions <strong>to</strong> participate <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> sex trade <strong>in</strong>dustry<br />
as pimps.<br />
We did not specifically ask <strong>the</strong> pimps whe<strong>the</strong>r<br />
<strong>the</strong>y ever ran away from home, but almost half<br />
(48%) mentioned that <strong>the</strong>y did. Almost a quarter<br />
(24%) said <strong>the</strong>y had been <strong>in</strong> foster care, but this<br />
number may be an underrepresentation because<br />
we did not specifically ask about foster care or<br />
group home <strong>in</strong>volvement. Runn<strong>in</strong>g away from<br />
foster care at ages 14 and 15, or from home at 16,<br />
were common occurrences <strong>in</strong> our sample. Along<br />
with low educational atta<strong>in</strong>ment, this severely<br />
limited <strong>the</strong> choices and opportunities open <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>se young men and women.<br />
III. GETTING IN: BECOMING A PIMP<br />
Seventy-two percent of participants said <strong>the</strong>y<br />
were recruited <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> pimp<strong>in</strong>g; <strong>in</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r words,<br />
someone suggested that <strong>the</strong>y undertake this role.<br />
For <strong>the</strong> participants <strong>in</strong> our research <strong>the</strong>re were<br />
several routes <strong>to</strong> pimp<strong>in</strong>g. They can be<br />
summarized as:<br />
• One th<strong>in</strong>g led <strong>to</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r …<br />
• Pimp<strong>in</strong>g was a safe survival strategy<br />
• Male and female participants were coerced<br />
<strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> pimp<strong>in</strong>g, with <strong>the</strong> majority of females<br />
coerced<br />
• Pimp<strong>in</strong>g met needs for a miss<strong>in</strong>g sense of<br />
power, control and respect<br />
These different scenarios are described on <strong>the</strong><br />
follow<strong>in</strong>g two pages.
One Th<strong>in</strong>g Led <strong>to</strong> Ano<strong>the</strong>r . . .<br />
S<strong>in</strong>ce 68 percent of our sample sold <strong>the</strong>ir bodies<br />
for sex prior <strong>to</strong> pimp<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>the</strong>ir earlier<br />
<strong>in</strong>volvement <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> sex trade <strong>in</strong>dustry might<br />
have made a “graduation” <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> pimp<strong>in</strong>g natural.<br />
There were, however, specific routes <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong><br />
pimp<strong>in</strong>g. Several males with computer skills<br />
started post<strong>in</strong>g ads for girls <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
neighborhood who would pay <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> handle<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir sites. This eventually led <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir manag<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>the</strong> girls <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustry.<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r played base guitar but <strong>the</strong> money<br />
wasn’t good, so he began <strong>to</strong> set up <strong>the</strong> parties<br />
ra<strong>the</strong>r than just play at <strong>the</strong>m. Still ano<strong>the</strong>r was a<br />
bartender on <strong>the</strong> Gold Coast of Chicago. “I used<br />
<strong>to</strong> get offers myself from men and women.<br />
There was a lot of money <strong>to</strong> be made, so I<br />
decided <strong>to</strong> start a bus<strong>in</strong>ess for wealthy clients,<br />
men and women who wanted escorts.”<br />
One male was a cab driver. Guys asked him <strong>to</strong><br />
get girls for <strong>the</strong>m and from that he saw that he<br />
could make money from this activity by tak<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
cut. It was so successful that he was able <strong>to</strong> buy<br />
his own cab and now owns two. Now that he<br />
has left pimp<strong>in</strong>g, he still drives a cab but says he<br />
does not participate <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> sex trade <strong>in</strong>dustry.<br />
Survival<br />
Some participants said <strong>the</strong>y weren’t particularly<br />
attracted <strong>to</strong> pimp<strong>in</strong>g, but it was only a means of<br />
survival. One, who needed <strong>to</strong> survive when he<br />
had <strong>to</strong> leave home at around age 15, said, “it<br />
was easier than me committ<strong>in</strong>g a felony or<br />
go<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> penitentiary.” Ano<strong>the</strong>r male who<br />
needed money put out a couple of girls so he<br />
could get enough money <strong>to</strong> buy a big package<br />
of dope <strong>to</strong> sell. “But <strong>the</strong>y started mak<strong>in</strong>g a nice<br />
piece of money, and I didn’t have <strong>to</strong> sell drugs<br />
and <strong>the</strong> women loved me.”<br />
One man’s s<strong>to</strong>ry illustrates a typical survival<br />
scenario. This <strong>in</strong>dividual said he was <strong>in</strong> four<br />
different foster homes; <strong>in</strong> two of <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong>re was<br />
heavy dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g, and <strong>the</strong>re was physical abuse and<br />
sexual assault from one family. At age 16 he ran<br />
away from a foster home and for two years he<br />
sold drugs <strong>to</strong> survive. Most of <strong>the</strong> girls he had<br />
around him were runaways or from group homes.<br />
“We all hung out <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r. When <strong>the</strong>y needed<br />
someone <strong>to</strong> watch <strong>the</strong>ir back or hold money for<br />
<strong>the</strong>m it would be me. The next th<strong>in</strong>g you know I<br />
was lett<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>m live with me. Then I got<br />
<strong>in</strong>volved with sett<strong>in</strong>g up <strong>the</strong> dates on <strong>the</strong><br />
Internet and check<strong>in</strong>g out <strong>the</strong> johns because I<br />
had all <strong>the</strong> technology. It was just bus<strong>in</strong>ess. It<br />
was a way of never be<strong>in</strong>g broke or poor aga<strong>in</strong>.”<br />
Coercion<br />
Some of our participants were coerced <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong><br />
pimp<strong>in</strong>g, some males through gang<br />
<strong>in</strong>volvement. One participant said his fa<strong>the</strong>r was<br />
a pimp and his mo<strong>the</strong>r a prostituted woman. “I<br />
was raised <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> game. It was a way of life <strong>in</strong><br />
my household and neighborhood. It was almost<br />
hereditary.” He began pimp<strong>in</strong>g himself <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
family bus<strong>in</strong>ess at age 17. Although his fa<strong>the</strong>r<br />
was a harsh man, this young man had been<br />
conditioned and groomed so that he wanted <strong>to</strong><br />
imitate his fa<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
“I wanted <strong>to</strong> be respected like my daddy. He<br />
dressed very well, $400 and $500 suits. He<br />
drove <strong>the</strong> best Cadillacs. I wanted all of that. I<br />
grew up <strong>in</strong> it. It gave me <strong>the</strong> same th<strong>in</strong>gs I saw<br />
my daddy with. I loved pimp<strong>in</strong>g.”<br />
One hundred percent of <strong>the</strong> women <strong>in</strong> our<br />
sample began <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> sex trade <strong>in</strong>dustry by<br />
sell<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir own bodies between <strong>the</strong> ages of<br />
n<strong>in</strong>e and 25, with <strong>the</strong> average age of onset at 14.<br />
They all ended up pimp<strong>in</strong>g, and it was not<br />
<strong>to</strong>tally voluntary. One 40-year-old woman with a<br />
sixth-grade education expla<strong>in</strong>ed that her mo<strong>the</strong>r<br />
was a prostituted woman who physically and<br />
sexually assaulted her and put her out <strong>in</strong><br />
prostitution at age 12. “My mo<strong>the</strong>r was my first<br />
pimp. She used <strong>to</strong> sell me <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> landlord and<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r men who wanted a young girl. She was a<br />
junkie.” After she ran away, she was picked up<br />
by a pimp and held aga<strong>in</strong>st her will, and later<br />
was held captive by ano<strong>the</strong>r. “I thought that<br />
was normal.”<br />
She ended up <strong>in</strong> a massage parlor and<br />
eventually <strong>the</strong> manager asked her <strong>to</strong> watch <strong>the</strong><br />
desk a couple of times, “and <strong>the</strong> rest was<br />
his<strong>to</strong>ry. He <strong>to</strong>ld me if I could recruit girls I could<br />
run <strong>the</strong> spot myself as long as I covered each<br />
shift with a least three <strong>to</strong> four girls. I have been<br />
pimped all my life, used by my family, and sold<br />
<strong>to</strong> any Johnny-come-lately. I was tired of sell<strong>in</strong>g<br />
my own body. It wasn’t my idea at first but I<br />
knew all <strong>the</strong> ropes and <strong>the</strong> girls trusted me.”<br />
When asked what her attitude was <strong>to</strong>ward<br />
pimp<strong>in</strong>g, she expla<strong>in</strong>ed, “I wanted <strong>to</strong> run every<br />
day, but what would I do with a sixth-grade<br />
education and make <strong>the</strong> money I was mak<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
and who is <strong>to</strong> say <strong>the</strong>y would let me walk like<br />
that?” She was, however, fired from her job<br />
because she had gotten <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> a fight and her face<br />
was cut pretty badly; she was <strong>to</strong>ld she couldn’t<br />
work because of <strong>the</strong> scar. Today, she takes two<br />
different drugs for depression and has been<br />
diagnosed as bipolar. “I just hope what I’m<br />
tell<strong>in</strong>g you can help someone not end up<br />
feel<strong>in</strong>g and look<strong>in</strong>g like me.”<br />
3
4<br />
Fifty percent of <strong>the</strong> female pimps <strong>in</strong> our sample<br />
said <strong>the</strong>y were coerced <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> pimp<strong>in</strong>g, and 57<br />
percent entered pimp<strong>in</strong>g at <strong>the</strong> requests and<br />
imprecations of <strong>the</strong>ir boyfriends. The follow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
are a few examples of this coercion.<br />
Two women <strong>in</strong> our sample said <strong>the</strong>ir boyfriends<br />
coerced <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> take over <strong>the</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess when<br />
<strong>the</strong> men had <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong> jail or prison. One woman,<br />
whose three sisters were <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> sex trade<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry, and who was a victim of physical<br />
abuse and childhood sexual assault from her<br />
mo<strong>the</strong>r’s boyfriends, began sell<strong>in</strong>g her body at<br />
age 14 when she was kidnapped and held for<br />
two months by a pimp. When her boyfriend had<br />
<strong>to</strong> serve 10 years for aggravated assault,<br />
pimp<strong>in</strong>g and pander<strong>in</strong>g, she was required <strong>to</strong><br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ue <strong>the</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong> his absence. “I didn’t<br />
want <strong>to</strong> but it was my job <strong>to</strong> take over and get<br />
his money. He <strong>to</strong>ld me he would have me taken<br />
care of [<strong>in</strong>jured] if I didn’t cont<strong>in</strong>ue <strong>to</strong> take care<br />
of his bus<strong>in</strong>ess and stable.” Now, at age 29, she<br />
<strong>to</strong>ld our surveyor she was try<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> get her kids<br />
back and try<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> stay away from <strong>the</strong> sex trade<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry: “I hope I don’t have <strong>to</strong> go back.” But<br />
after <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>terview she returned <strong>to</strong> pimp<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
was arrested 18 days later.<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r woman with an eighth-grade<br />
education, also a victim of childhood sexual<br />
assault, said she was required at age 25 <strong>to</strong> take<br />
her boyfriend’s girls <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> cus<strong>to</strong>mers and<br />
collect <strong>the</strong> money. “I used <strong>to</strong> th<strong>in</strong>k he did it that<br />
way because I was special <strong>to</strong> him, but I found<br />
out it was only so he wouldn’t get arrested for<br />
pimp<strong>in</strong>g. No one could say <strong>the</strong>y gave him<br />
money because <strong>the</strong>y gave it <strong>to</strong> me. I had <strong>to</strong><br />
make sure <strong>the</strong> hos made his money and collect<br />
it, or he would bust me up, real simple.” When<br />
he went <strong>to</strong> prison for 10 years for almost kill<strong>in</strong>g<br />
one of his girls, she <strong>to</strong>ok over <strong>the</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>to</strong><br />
raise money for his at<strong>to</strong>rney fees.<br />
Even when <strong>the</strong> pimp<strong>in</strong>g decision was voluntary,<br />
it was made with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> backdrop of this<br />
coercion. Becom<strong>in</strong>g a pimp appeared <strong>to</strong> provide<br />
an exit from be<strong>in</strong>g a violence victim.<br />
A 30-year-old woman <strong>to</strong>ld of her <strong>in</strong>volvement <strong>in</strong><br />
prostitution. Both her two older sisters and her<br />
mo<strong>the</strong>r sold <strong>the</strong>ir bodies <strong>in</strong> prostitution. When<br />
she was n<strong>in</strong>e, her mo<strong>the</strong>r allowed her uncle <strong>to</strong><br />
rape me “so I could lose my <strong>in</strong>nocence. For<br />
sure, he paid her. Soon after she brought o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
men <strong>to</strong> me, some raped me, some <strong>to</strong>ok<br />
pictures. By <strong>the</strong> time I was 12 I was used <strong>to</strong> it. If<br />
I didn’t do it we would live <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> streets.” She<br />
became <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> pimp<strong>in</strong>g, she said, because<br />
of her many girlfriends who were ask<strong>in</strong>g her <strong>to</strong><br />
help make money <strong>in</strong> this way. “I know <strong>to</strong>day<br />
that I was only do<strong>in</strong>g it because my mo<strong>the</strong>r did<br />
it <strong>to</strong> me, but <strong>the</strong> money is so good <strong>in</strong> this<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>ess and you don’t feel like you are hurt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
anyone.” She concluded, “You call it pimp<strong>in</strong>g, I<br />
call it surviv<strong>in</strong>g and be<strong>in</strong>g smart. You ei<strong>the</strong>r get<br />
<strong>in</strong> this world or you get got. No one will get me<br />
aga<strong>in</strong> like my mo<strong>the</strong>r did.”<br />
Power and Control<br />
For <strong>the</strong>se young men and women com<strong>in</strong>g from<br />
households marked by domestic violence,<br />
physical abuse and sexual assault, pimp<strong>in</strong>g<br />
allowed <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> ga<strong>in</strong> a sense of power and<br />
control over <strong>the</strong>ir environment for <strong>the</strong> first time,<br />
as evidenced by <strong>the</strong>se comments:<br />
“First, it gave me power. Then it gave me<br />
respect, because everyone couldn’t do it and it<br />
gave you a sense of love. And last but not least,<br />
it gave me money and fame.”<br />
“All my life I was pushed around, beat up, and<br />
treated like sh--. I always got <strong>the</strong> hand-medowns.<br />
I was never shown any love or care. But<br />
when I got <strong>the</strong>se ladies who let me control and<br />
run <strong>the</strong>ir lives and gave me <strong>the</strong>ir money, and<br />
would do whatever I said, I had all <strong>the</strong> cards <strong>in</strong><br />
my hand. Every man wishes <strong>the</strong>y were me. For<br />
<strong>the</strong> first time <strong>in</strong> my life I was number one.”<br />
“I was attracted <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> girls. I liked <strong>the</strong>m and<br />
<strong>the</strong>y liked me. We all had one ma<strong>in</strong> th<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
common. We were hustl<strong>in</strong>g hard and wanted<br />
nice th<strong>in</strong>gs. We came from sh---y places. It’s<br />
like we needed each o<strong>the</strong>r.”<br />
Many of <strong>the</strong> participants emphasized “<strong>the</strong><br />
satisfaction of hav<strong>in</strong>g my own bus<strong>in</strong>ess,” and<br />
<strong>the</strong> self-esteem from be<strong>in</strong>g a good manager.<br />
Over and over aga<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>y said that be<strong>in</strong>g a good<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>essman or woman was satisfy<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>m:<br />
“It made me feel I had my own bus<strong>in</strong>ess. It<br />
made me feel important.” In addition, help<strong>in</strong>g<br />
girls get paid for what has been taken from<br />
<strong>the</strong>m provided self-esteem.<br />
IV. LIFE IN THE BUSINESS<br />
Bus<strong>in</strong>ess Organization<br />
Participants <strong>in</strong> our sample worked <strong>in</strong> a variety of<br />
ways <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Chicago metropolitan area sex trade<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry. Several worked for large escort<br />
services or strip clubs, recruit<strong>in</strong>g and manag<strong>in</strong>g<br />
girls and women. O<strong>the</strong>rs had <strong>the</strong>ir own small<br />
and medium-sized escort services. One woman<br />
owned and ran a bro<strong>the</strong>l. Still o<strong>the</strong>rs posted ads<br />
for girls and women on <strong>the</strong> Internet and<br />
managed <strong>the</strong> escort bus<strong>in</strong>ess that resulted.<br />
Some provided girls and women for private<br />
parties. Although al<strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r our sample pimped<br />
a m<strong>in</strong>imum of 4,135 women dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
lifetimes, at any given time <strong>the</strong>y managed two<br />
<strong>to</strong> 30 women.
In <strong>the</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> sample, those work<strong>in</strong>g for larger<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>esses were reluctant <strong>to</strong> provide details.<br />
One said <strong>the</strong> owners were “a very organized<br />
and scary bunch of gentlemen.” Ano<strong>the</strong>r was<br />
run by a gang. Not one pimp reported earn<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> IRS and paid taxes.<br />
Recruit<strong>in</strong>g Girls and Women<br />
Recruit<strong>in</strong>g was ongo<strong>in</strong>g, not only because of<br />
turnover, but also because repeat cus<strong>to</strong>mers<br />
wanted variety and new faces had <strong>to</strong> be<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ually supplied. One said that every six<br />
months he would “clean house.”<br />
Pimps made clear <strong>the</strong>y focused on vulnerable<br />
women. The prime candidate was a blonde<br />
runaway. Runaways were frequently mentioned.<br />
“I would look for girls who needed sh-- who<br />
would do whatever <strong>to</strong> come out of <strong>the</strong> messed<br />
up homes and escape from <strong>the</strong>ir f---ed-up<br />
parents. I pulled <strong>the</strong>se girls. Women who had<br />
been abused by some sucker and wanted<br />
better treatment and nice th<strong>in</strong>gs.”<br />
“Girls who ran away from home or were put out<br />
by <strong>the</strong>ir parents. Ladies who were pretty but<br />
were on welfare, drop outs, you know you can<br />
smell desperation. If she is hungry, she will go.”<br />
“I looked for girls who were will<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> travel<br />
and were runn<strong>in</strong>g away from someth<strong>in</strong>g or<br />
someone.”<br />
“Any player can tell when a girl has <strong>the</strong> look of<br />
desperation that you know she needs attention<br />
or love. It’s someth<strong>in</strong>g you start <strong>to</strong> have a sixth<br />
sense about.”<br />
“I helped girls who no one else would. I picked<br />
up throwaways and runaways and dressed <strong>the</strong>m<br />
up and taught <strong>the</strong>m how <strong>to</strong> survive.”<br />
“What would you look for? Broken bones,<br />
unhappy with parents, abused by some sucker.”<br />
“I wanted very pretty girls and young because<br />
<strong>the</strong>y <strong>to</strong>ok orders better. White girls from <strong>the</strong> bars<br />
who like <strong>to</strong> get high. They were really a lot of<br />
profit but <strong>the</strong>y didn’t last long because <strong>the</strong>y used<br />
<strong>to</strong>o many drugs. Most were 16 <strong>to</strong> 17 years old.”<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r waxed poetic:<br />
“<strong>From</strong> <strong>the</strong> hood <strong>to</strong> Hollywood<br />
<strong>From</strong> <strong>the</strong> street <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> ocean<br />
<strong>From</strong> <strong>the</strong> high school <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> beauty shops<br />
Hos can be knocked from anywhere.”<br />
Pimps used various deceptive strategies <strong>to</strong><br />
recruit needy young girls: “It’s impossible <strong>to</strong><br />
protect all girls from guys like I was because<br />
that’s what we do. We eat, dr<strong>in</strong>k and sleep<br />
th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g of ways <strong>to</strong> trick young girls <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> do<strong>in</strong>g<br />
what we want <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> do.”<br />
“I had many games <strong>to</strong> cop a girl. I would tell<br />
<strong>the</strong>m I was an agent. I would say I designed<br />
clo<strong>the</strong>s. I even <strong>to</strong>ld <strong>the</strong>m I sang with certa<strong>in</strong><br />
bands and managed different people. It was<br />
more challeng<strong>in</strong>g when I got girls who were<br />
older. I really became more creative <strong>the</strong> older<br />
<strong>the</strong> girls were.”<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r expla<strong>in</strong>ed that he recruited groupies or<br />
girls try<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> be stars: “I <strong>to</strong>ld <strong>the</strong>m I was an<br />
agent. I got <strong>the</strong>m back stage.” But after <strong>the</strong>y<br />
ran away from home and <strong>the</strong>n were dropped<br />
from show bus<strong>in</strong>ess, <strong>the</strong>y came <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> pimp <strong>to</strong><br />
make a quick dollar.<br />
Pimps also offered love and attention and<br />
isolat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> needy young girls helped b<strong>in</strong>d<br />
<strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> him. “I liked <strong>to</strong> get my best girls from<br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r state and br<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>m back where <strong>the</strong>y<br />
knew no one and I was <strong>the</strong>ir only friend and<br />
focus. I found <strong>the</strong>m <strong>in</strong> many places, but mostly<br />
from runn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>m on <strong>the</strong> street or at a bar<br />
or restaurant.”<br />
Pimps said that <strong>the</strong> Internet, MySpace or<br />
Craigslist could also be used <strong>to</strong> recruit girls. And<br />
sometimes <strong>the</strong> girls didn’t even know <strong>the</strong>y were<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g pimped. One pimp said he gave parties,<br />
got young girls high on liquor and marijuana,<br />
and <strong>the</strong> girls never knew <strong>the</strong> guys at <strong>the</strong> party<br />
had paid for <strong>the</strong> pleasure of be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>re and<br />
hav<strong>in</strong>g sex with <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
Pimps made clear that <strong>the</strong> recruitment and <strong>the</strong><br />
control provided a miss<strong>in</strong>g sense of power for<br />
<strong>the</strong>m. It gives you a rush,” said one. The girls<br />
and women also provided love <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> pimps: “I<br />
liked be<strong>in</strong>g big daddy, know<strong>in</strong>g that a woman<br />
loved me or liked me enough <strong>to</strong> sell her pussy<br />
and give me <strong>the</strong> money,” said one. And ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
expla<strong>in</strong>ed, “It made me feel like I was a lucky<br />
guy <strong>to</strong> have women pay me and control <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
heads and bodies.”<br />
To justify this control, many pimps expla<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
that <strong>the</strong>y were help<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> girls. They were<br />
teach<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>m not <strong>to</strong> give away <strong>the</strong>ir bodies for<br />
free. They were tak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>m from <strong>the</strong> gutter and<br />
feed<strong>in</strong>g, hous<strong>in</strong>g and cloth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>m. They were<br />
res<strong>to</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g power <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>m as well. With so much<br />
demand for paid sex, <strong>the</strong>re seemed noth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
wrong for <strong>the</strong>m all <strong>to</strong> profit from <strong>the</strong> “greed and<br />
social stupidity of cus<strong>to</strong>mers.”<br />
5
6<br />
“I felt I was a good bus<strong>in</strong>esswoman <strong>to</strong> get paid<br />
and help my girls get paid for <strong>the</strong> same sh-that<br />
gets taken from you. It is a part of our<br />
society and what people want.”<br />
Cus<strong>to</strong>mers<br />
Sample participants expla<strong>in</strong>ed that cus<strong>to</strong>mers<br />
seemed <strong>to</strong> be fall<strong>in</strong>g off <strong>the</strong> trees. This was a<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>ess with unlimited potential: “Sex sells like<br />
wildfire,” said one. “It’s like stick<strong>in</strong>g your pole<br />
<strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> a fish<strong>in</strong>g hole. Somebody is go<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> bite,”<br />
expla<strong>in</strong>ed ano<strong>the</strong>r. Cus<strong>to</strong>mers came from<br />
Internet advertisements and referrals from<br />
bartenders, hotel bellmen, and importantly, cab<br />
drivers. One pimp said that bachelor parties<br />
were a good source; two or three regular<br />
cus<strong>to</strong>mers would come from each bachelor<br />
party.<br />
Most were white men and Sou<strong>the</strong>ast Asians with<br />
money, “who all had a fantasy about sex with a<br />
black woman.”<br />
“Bus<strong>in</strong>ess guys, lots of s<strong>to</strong>ck market clients,<br />
conventioneers. High-end guys who had <strong>the</strong><br />
bucks, mostly Caucasian or Oriental, no black<br />
guys unless <strong>the</strong>y were pro ball players.”<br />
“Mostly high-end guys with money, not many<br />
blacks. They bought sex because <strong>the</strong>y could get<br />
what <strong>the</strong>y wanted without any str<strong>in</strong>gs.”<br />
“Sports, music, news people, artists, comedians,<br />
politicians.”<br />
“Some police, lawyers, men who could afford <strong>to</strong><br />
pay for a room and <strong>the</strong> outcall.”<br />
“All sizes and shapes, ages. Lots of big wigs,<br />
some snooty college kids who had lots of<br />
money <strong>to</strong> spend, even came with <strong>the</strong>ir dads,<br />
some of <strong>the</strong>m.”<br />
“<strong>From</strong> laborers <strong>to</strong> astronauts.”<br />
Transport<strong>in</strong>g Girls and Women<br />
Eighty-eight percent of <strong>the</strong> sample transported<br />
<strong>the</strong> girls and women <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> cus<strong>to</strong>mer, unless<br />
<strong>the</strong>y had <strong>in</strong>stalled <strong>the</strong> girl or woman <strong>in</strong> a hotel<br />
room <strong>in</strong> advance. However, <strong>in</strong> those <strong>in</strong>stances<br />
<strong>the</strong> pimps moved <strong>the</strong> girls around so <strong>the</strong>y didn’t<br />
get known as regulars <strong>to</strong> law enforcement:<br />
“Noth<strong>in</strong>g was permanent, we had <strong>to</strong> be a<br />
mov<strong>in</strong>g target.” In some <strong>in</strong>stances <strong>the</strong> pimps did<br />
<strong>the</strong> driv<strong>in</strong>g, and <strong>in</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs drivers were employed,<br />
or cab drivers paid. Some moved girls and<br />
women all over, from Spr<strong>in</strong>gfield <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Gold<br />
Coast of Chicago, and <strong>to</strong> different states,<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g Indiana, Iowa, Nevada and Florida.<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ancial Arrangements<br />
Over a third of our sample (36%) said that <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
girls and women were not allowed <strong>to</strong> keep any<br />
of <strong>the</strong> money that was made, and from <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
comments it was clear that limit<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> money<br />
was an important form of control. To <strong>the</strong><br />
question, “How much money was she allowed <strong>to</strong><br />
keep?” <strong>the</strong> answers <strong>in</strong>cluded:<br />
“Noth<strong>in</strong>g. I met all <strong>the</strong>ir needs. I was <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
doc<strong>to</strong>r, lawyer, manager and f<strong>in</strong>ancial advisor.”<br />
“That’s funny! None.”<br />
“Daddy handles all money.”<br />
“You can’t control your stable if you allow your<br />
hos <strong>to</strong> keep a dime of <strong>the</strong> money.”<br />
“They paid me all of it. We were a family.”<br />
“I was <strong>the</strong> money handler. Hos don’t need<br />
money.”<br />
“I had all <strong>the</strong> cash. Money is power. Hos have no<br />
power.”<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r 16 percent expla<strong>in</strong>ed that <strong>the</strong>ir “ma<strong>in</strong><br />
girls” who lived with <strong>the</strong>m didn’t keep any<br />
money, but that o<strong>the</strong>rs gave 40 <strong>to</strong> 50 percent <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>m: “Some gave me all if <strong>the</strong>y wanted <strong>to</strong> be<br />
special and stay with Daddy.”<br />
Thus, over half (52%) left some of <strong>the</strong>ir girls and<br />
women with no money. In <strong>the</strong> rest of <strong>the</strong> cases,<br />
<strong>the</strong> arrangements were variable. Those girls and<br />
women work<strong>in</strong>g for organized escort services<br />
got 60 percent of <strong>the</strong> take, but <strong>the</strong>n had <strong>to</strong> give<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir pimp at least half of <strong>the</strong>ir portion. Some<br />
required <strong>the</strong> girls and women <strong>to</strong> give <strong>the</strong>m a 30<br />
percent cut of <strong>the</strong>ir earn<strong>in</strong>gs, and for o<strong>the</strong>rs it<br />
was 40 <strong>to</strong> 60 percent of <strong>the</strong> take.<br />
V. THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF<br />
PIMPING<br />
Law Enforcement Support<br />
Statements made by pimps reflect <strong>the</strong> degree <strong>to</strong><br />
which o<strong>the</strong>r entities profit from <strong>the</strong> sex trade<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry and, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> process, enable it <strong>to</strong><br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ue <strong>to</strong> survive despite its illegality.<br />
Sixty percent of <strong>the</strong> sample said <strong>the</strong>y paid law<br />
enforcement <strong>in</strong> order <strong>to</strong> survive <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess.<br />
“We paid who we had <strong>to</strong> so we could run our<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>ess. Police, detectives, and an alderman<br />
or two.”<br />
“We paid vice and a couple of hungry beat cops.”
“I always had <strong>to</strong> pay <strong>the</strong>se certa<strong>in</strong> cops <strong>to</strong> have<br />
my parties.”<br />
“I paid my dues, <strong>the</strong> regular crooked cops.”<br />
“I paid a vice and a capta<strong>in</strong> regularly, like twice<br />
a month.”<br />
“I’ve done my share of sexual favors and<br />
kickbacks.” [female]<br />
“Police would harass me, especially if I had<br />
more than one lady <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> car. Sometimes <strong>the</strong>y<br />
would arrest me just so <strong>the</strong>y could take my<br />
money, shake me down, punch me, or take my<br />
car <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> pound.”<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r Support Payments<br />
Pimps said <strong>the</strong>y shared profits with a host of<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r ac<strong>to</strong>rs, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g lawyers and doc<strong>to</strong>rs, but<br />
also bellmen, hotel clerks, bartenders and cab<br />
drivers, all of whom were regularly paid for<br />
referr<strong>in</strong>g cus<strong>to</strong>mers. Expla<strong>in</strong>ed one, “A few<br />
bellman, hotel clerks, bartenders and a few cab<br />
driver buddies who knew I had ladies, but not<br />
everyone knew. I had <strong>to</strong> be careful.”<br />
A few pimps also mentioned paid referrals from<br />
convention <strong>in</strong>formation centers. All thus have a<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ancial stake <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> sex trade <strong>in</strong>dustry and are<br />
important cogs <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> mach<strong>in</strong>e, without which it<br />
could not operate.<br />
In addition, <strong>the</strong> female pimps operat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
own bus<strong>in</strong>esses made weekly payments as high<br />
as $2,000 a week <strong>to</strong> gangs and o<strong>the</strong>r entities<br />
that provided needed protection and security.<br />
S<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>the</strong>y regularly made $5,000 <strong>to</strong> $6,000 a<br />
week, <strong>the</strong> women were all robbed a few times<br />
until <strong>the</strong>y “got connected and paid <strong>the</strong> right<br />
people off. So even though I was <strong>in</strong> charge I<br />
really wasn’t. I always knew that if I didn’t play<br />
by <strong>the</strong> rules my career was over.”<br />
When one woman’s man was <strong>in</strong> prison and she<br />
<strong>to</strong>ok over <strong>the</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess, he had o<strong>the</strong>r “guys<br />
watch my back. They had <strong>to</strong> be paid.”<br />
Expla<strong>in</strong>ed ano<strong>the</strong>r, “A woman can’t survive<br />
without some protection or connection, and<br />
you have <strong>to</strong> pay.” One woman had a gang for<br />
protection: “It was k<strong>in</strong>d of like a donation, but if<br />
<strong>the</strong>y asked you <strong>to</strong> perform a favor you had<br />
better show up. They didn’t ask me for much,<br />
thank God, just free pussy for some bro<strong>the</strong>r just<br />
out of jail or a donation now and <strong>the</strong>n.”<br />
VI. ATTITUDES TOWARD PIMPING<br />
Because of <strong>the</strong> high demand for paid sex<br />
observed by <strong>the</strong> pimps, and <strong>the</strong> obligation <strong>to</strong><br />
share <strong>the</strong> profits with law enforcement and<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r supportive entities, pimps believe that <strong>the</strong><br />
sex trade <strong>in</strong>dustry is accepted by society, and<br />
thus, that pimp<strong>in</strong>g is a safe activity, as<br />
evidenced by <strong>the</strong>se comments:<br />
“I see no one try<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> s<strong>to</strong>p this lifestyle<br />
[prostitution], so why condemn <strong>the</strong> people who<br />
survive do<strong>in</strong>g this? Don’t knock a woman who<br />
is struggl<strong>in</strong>g. You tell me if we didn’t sell our<br />
bodies <strong>to</strong> survive, how else would we take care<br />
of ourselves and our families?”<br />
“As long as men can get away with it, <strong>the</strong>re will<br />
always be prostitution.”<br />
“If people want somebody <strong>to</strong> blame for this,<br />
<strong>the</strong>y need <strong>to</strong> look <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> mirror. We all<br />
contribute <strong>to</strong> this stuff one way or <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r. If<br />
we didn’t, <strong>the</strong>re wouldn’t be so much money <strong>to</strong><br />
be made.”<br />
“The money is <strong>to</strong>o good. It will never s<strong>to</strong>p. It’s<br />
like s<strong>to</strong>pp<strong>in</strong>g people from eat<strong>in</strong>g. This game<br />
will never s<strong>to</strong>p. My op<strong>in</strong>ion is that if a woman<br />
sells it, she’s smarter than one that gives it<br />
away, and if she wants <strong>to</strong> help her man, <strong>the</strong>n<br />
good for her.”<br />
“As long as <strong>the</strong>re are people with money and<br />
power, <strong>the</strong>re will be poorer people who <strong>the</strong>y<br />
will be able <strong>to</strong> buy.”<br />
Only 32 percent of <strong>the</strong> sample said <strong>the</strong>y rued<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir participation <strong>in</strong> pimp<strong>in</strong>g. Of those with<br />
regrets, half were women. “I would like <strong>to</strong> give<br />
back what was taken from me and maybe<br />
help<strong>in</strong>g o<strong>the</strong>rs will give me some peace,” said<br />
one male. And ano<strong>the</strong>r commented, “The only<br />
way I can rectify my wrongs is not <strong>to</strong> disrespect<br />
any woman <strong>in</strong> any way for <strong>the</strong> rest of my life.”<br />
Added ano<strong>the</strong>r, “I wish I had treated people<br />
better. Sometimes I can’t sleep th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g about<br />
what I did.”<br />
The majority of <strong>the</strong> pimps <strong>in</strong> our sample,<br />
however, see an unend<strong>in</strong>g demand for paid sex,<br />
a world that appears <strong>to</strong> accept it, and<br />
participants l<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g up <strong>to</strong> make profits from it. So<br />
why should <strong>the</strong>y feel guilty about what <strong>the</strong>y<br />
have done or are do<strong>in</strong>g?<br />
VII. GETTING OUT<br />
A description of <strong>the</strong> process of leav<strong>in</strong>g pimp<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and life after pimp<strong>in</strong>g sh<strong>in</strong>es a light on <strong>the</strong><br />
attractions of pimp<strong>in</strong>g for <strong>the</strong> men and women<br />
<strong>in</strong> our sample.<br />
Not one pimp <strong>in</strong> our sample made a decision <strong>to</strong><br />
leave pimp<strong>in</strong>g. Ra<strong>the</strong>r, circumstances forced<br />
<strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> leave: “You don’t leave pimp<strong>in</strong>g, it<br />
leaves you.”<br />
7
8<br />
Poor health caused retirement for a few. One<br />
expla<strong>in</strong>ed that his health deteriorated from<br />
abuse of alcohol, and once he s<strong>to</strong>pped dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g<br />
he “didn’t have <strong>the</strong> s<strong>to</strong>mach for it. I couldn’t do<br />
that sober, treat<strong>in</strong>g people like cattle.” Now he<br />
is “broke” on SSI and has a lot of medical<br />
problems. Liver disease has claimed <strong>the</strong><br />
livelihood of ano<strong>the</strong>r pimp.<br />
O<strong>the</strong>rs said <strong>the</strong>y simply got <strong>to</strong>o old for <strong>the</strong><br />
bus<strong>in</strong>ess: “I’m not as young as I used <strong>to</strong> be. Like<br />
I said, it’s about control and a little fear. The<br />
older you get <strong>the</strong> less people fear you, so you<br />
get replaced.”<br />
Several of <strong>the</strong> women left pimp<strong>in</strong>g because <strong>the</strong>y<br />
were robbed or beaten, perhaps <strong>in</strong> efforts <strong>to</strong><br />
drive <strong>the</strong>m from <strong>the</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess. Still o<strong>the</strong>rs were<br />
defeated by <strong>the</strong> law, because <strong>the</strong>y are now on<br />
parole, are <strong>in</strong> battles with <strong>the</strong> IRS, or were shut<br />
down by <strong>the</strong> police. Several of <strong>the</strong> women have<br />
quit <strong>the</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong> an effort <strong>to</strong> get <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
children back. O<strong>the</strong>rs left pimp<strong>in</strong>g because of<br />
<strong>the</strong> death of some of <strong>the</strong>ir girls or women. One<br />
man said that when one of his women gave<br />
birth <strong>to</strong> his child, he quit <strong>the</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess: “I love my<br />
kid. I can’t have my kid’s mo<strong>the</strong>r hustl<strong>in</strong>g. If<br />
th<strong>in</strong>gs get tight, I still post a girl or two.” He is<br />
now mak<strong>in</strong>g money by build<strong>in</strong>g websites.<br />
However, most of <strong>the</strong> ex-pimps <strong>in</strong> our sample<br />
who are employed have generally rema<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
<strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> enterta<strong>in</strong>ment <strong>in</strong>dustry. Some<br />
play at clubs or work as floor managers, DJs,<br />
bartenders or cab drivers. One works <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
gambl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustry on a boat <strong>in</strong> Indiana and at an<br />
off-track bett<strong>in</strong>g place.<br />
Some men <strong>in</strong> our sample now sell jewelry,<br />
clo<strong>the</strong>s and perfume, some of which may be<br />
fraudulent knock-offs. O<strong>the</strong>rs, both men and<br />
women, live with o<strong>the</strong>rs who support <strong>the</strong>m: “I<br />
married a woman with money. We share a small<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>ess and I’m a deacon <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> church,<br />
th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g about becom<strong>in</strong>g a m<strong>in</strong>ister.”<br />
When pimp<strong>in</strong>g became unavailable <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>m,<br />
several <strong>in</strong> our sample tried sell<strong>in</strong>g crack coca<strong>in</strong>e<br />
or marijuana but did not like <strong>the</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess. Most<br />
have rema<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> enterta<strong>in</strong>ment <strong>in</strong>dustry,<br />
probably because low educational atta<strong>in</strong>ment<br />
and years of pimp<strong>in</strong>g did not open doors <strong>to</strong><br />
o<strong>the</strong>r occupations for <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
Only when pimp<strong>in</strong>g became <strong>to</strong>o dangerous or<br />
out-and-out impossible due <strong>to</strong> ill health did<br />
<strong>the</strong>se men and women give it up. Given <strong>the</strong><br />
large amount of money <strong>the</strong>y made ($150,000 <strong>to</strong><br />
$500,000 annually) and <strong>the</strong> general lack of<br />
danger, pimp<strong>in</strong>g rema<strong>in</strong>ed more attractive than<br />
sell<strong>in</strong>g drugs or o<strong>the</strong>r off-market activities.<br />
VIII. DISCUSSION<br />
Prior research has documented <strong>the</strong> strategies<br />
pimps employ <strong>to</strong> recruit girls for <strong>the</strong> sex trade<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry under <strong>the</strong> guise of affection or by use<br />
of deceit, 3 although still unknown is <strong>the</strong><br />
percentage of women and girls under <strong>the</strong><br />
control of pimps at any given time. What is<br />
largely not unders<strong>to</strong>od, however, are <strong>the</strong><br />
reasons young men and women decide <strong>to</strong><br />
participate as pimps and how <strong>the</strong>y view <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry and <strong>the</strong>ir participation <strong>in</strong> it—<br />
<strong>in</strong>formation that would be useful for strategies<br />
<strong>to</strong> combat pimp<strong>in</strong>g and traffick<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
When we look at <strong>the</strong> sex trade <strong>in</strong>dustry from <strong>the</strong><br />
viewpo<strong>in</strong>t of pimps and madams, we see a<br />
landscape of unfettered demand and an<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry, although illegal, supported by a large<br />
cast of characters, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g some law<br />
enforcement officers, hotel and convention<br />
personnel, bartenders, and cab drivers. By and<br />
large, participation <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustry appears <strong>to</strong><br />
present no danger, little hard work and large<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ancial payoffs. This f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g is corroborated by<br />
May and colleagues’ <strong>in</strong>terviews with 16 pimps,<br />
half of whom <strong>to</strong>ld <strong>the</strong> researchers that pimp<strong>in</strong>g<br />
was a deliberate choice ow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> lucrative<br />
nature of <strong>the</strong> work and “<strong>the</strong> lack of effort<br />
<strong>in</strong>volved.” 4<br />
As a result of <strong>the</strong>ir early household experiences,<br />
men and women <strong>in</strong> our sample have been<br />
damaged by both physical and sexual assault<br />
and by witness<strong>in</strong>g domestic violence. Sixty<br />
percent had family members <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong><br />
prostitution and 68 percent sold <strong>the</strong>ir own<br />
bodies as well, some under force and coercion<br />
at very young ages. The women, especially, had<br />
been subjected <strong>to</strong> sexual abuse and were forced<br />
<strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> prostitution when very young by parents.<br />
Almost half said <strong>the</strong>y ran away from home at<br />
early ages.<br />
3 James F. Hodgson, Games Pimps Play: Pimps, Players and Wives-<strong>in</strong>-Law: A Qualitative Analysis of Street<br />
Prostitution (Toron<strong>to</strong>, Canadian Scholars’ Press, 1997); Tiggey May, Alex Harocopos, and Michael Hough, “For Love or<br />
Money: Pimps and <strong>the</strong> Management of Sex Work,” 2000 report from <strong>the</strong> UK Home Office, available at<br />
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/depsta/law/research/icpr/publications/Pimps.pdf; Kennedy et. al., “Routes of Recruitment:<br />
Pimps’ Techniques and O<strong>the</strong>r Circumstances That Lead <strong>to</strong> Street Prostitution,” Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment<br />
& Trauma, 15 (2007); “Domestic Sex Traffick<strong>in</strong>g, footnote 1, supra.<br />
4 May et. al., “For Love or Money.”
A common attitude pervades <strong>the</strong>se <strong>in</strong>terviews:<br />
pimp<strong>in</strong>g helped <strong>the</strong>m rega<strong>in</strong> a sense of miss<strong>in</strong>g<br />
power, but it also helped make amends; <strong>the</strong>y<br />
were now gett<strong>in</strong>g paid for someth<strong>in</strong>g that <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
past had been taken from <strong>the</strong>m. In runn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
lucrative small bus<strong>in</strong>esses, <strong>the</strong>y believed <strong>the</strong>y<br />
had <strong>the</strong> upper hand over <strong>the</strong> cus<strong>to</strong>mers, who<br />
were seen as greedy suckers. And lastly, <strong>the</strong>y<br />
saw support for <strong>the</strong> sex trade <strong>in</strong>dustry through<br />
various strata of society.<br />
Ultimately, elim<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g demand for prostitution<br />
will be <strong>the</strong> only truly effective way <strong>to</strong> end<br />
pimp<strong>in</strong>g, which always <strong>in</strong>volves <strong>the</strong> exploitation<br />
and abuse of needy girls and women. Strategies<br />
<strong>to</strong> end demand are beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> be employed<br />
by law enforcement officials through arrests of<br />
cus<strong>to</strong>mers. However, our research makes clear<br />
that it would be an effective strategy <strong>to</strong> make<br />
pimp<strong>in</strong>g more dangerous or expensive through<br />
arrests and prosecutions of <strong>in</strong>dividuals for<br />
pimp<strong>in</strong>g and traffick<strong>in</strong>g, us<strong>in</strong>g current laws<br />
available <strong>to</strong> law enforcement. In Ill<strong>in</strong>ois, laws<br />
have recently been amended <strong>to</strong> enhance<br />
penalties for those who traffic and sexually<br />
exploit persons under age 18. In addition, efforts<br />
<strong>to</strong> dismantle <strong>the</strong> support for <strong>the</strong> sex trade<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry at all levels would yield rich dividends,<br />
because current attitudes buttress pimps and<br />
traffickers’ current views that society approves<br />
of sell<strong>in</strong>g sex and <strong>the</strong> sex trade <strong>in</strong>dustry.<br />
Lastly, <strong>the</strong> early experiences of <strong>in</strong>dividuals <strong>in</strong> our<br />
sample mandate that we devise methods <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>tervene early <strong>to</strong> prevent childhood sexual<br />
assault or establish mechanisms <strong>to</strong> assist victims<br />
of childhood sexual abuse and physical violence,<br />
which are precursors of pimp<strong>in</strong>g and traffick<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
contribut<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> a process by which victims<br />
become victimizers.<br />
9
For more <strong>in</strong>formation about <strong>the</strong> Schiller DuCan<strong>to</strong> &<br />
Fleck Family Law Center, please contact:<br />
Barbara Hausman<br />
Executive Direc<strong>to</strong>r<br />
(312) 362-8117<br />
bhausman@depaul.edu<br />
law.depaul.edu/family