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Home>Archives for Justice Programs

May 24, 2012 by Shamere

Unavoidable Destiny | Legally a Criminal, Legally a Victim: The Plight of the Bottom

Looking back at the 18 months of my victimization by a “guerilla pimp” (most abusive type of pimp), I have to make an honest decision in regard to my actions.  While under the direction of the pimp, I did commit punishable offenses under the law and was charged with conspiracy to commit the Mann Act—driving minors across state lines for illegal purposes. I honestly do not believe that I was a perpetrator of this crime because I was forced to drive the car, just as I was forced to submit to prostitution and the humiliation of being sold for sex, over and over. Congress stated in the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, and I believe, that I should not be held responsible for the crimes I was forced to commit while I was enslaved.

 

In my case, I believe two key circumstances state the case for my innocence:

1. Motivation: The crimes were committed out of force and in protection of my life and the lives of my family. I never once profited.2. Free will: I would not have committed these crimes from my own free will—the crimes were committed under the direction of the pimp.

A victim does not become the “bottom girl” overnight. It is important to recognize that a “bottom girl” has been deeply manipulated and has likely developed a trauma bond with her pimp. Her basic ability to determine right from wrong has become corrupted by thoughts and actions instilled by her pimp through fear. The “bottom girl” develops compliant behavior after constant threats and real severe beatings and rapes, and witnessing the cruelty done to other girls.

From the very first beating when I was choked to the point of unconsciousness until the day he pulled the trigger on the miraculously unloaded gun in my mouth, I knew obedience meant survival.  When he placed the gun in my mouth and asked me if I wanted to die, I shrugged. I thought, “Finally, this pain and this life would be over and the only one hurt is the one who was responsible for me being in the situation – ME!” The trigger was pulled but I was still alive.  For a few moments, I thought I was experiencing death with the ability to still see life, until I felt the blows to my head by the gun. This was when I realized there was no hope. I had to continue this life of being obedient to him so my family wouldn’t get hurt, as he reminded me each day.  I was alive, but was not living. I was a slave.

Congress expressed its understanding of this victim behavior in the federal TVPA:  “Victims of severe forms of trafficking should not be inappropriately incarcerated, fined, or otherwise penalized solely for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of being trafficked…”  Nonetheless, victims are still being charged.

Today in America, the justice system faces a severe challenge. Does it respond to the victimization of the bottom girl by offering services and freedom? Or does it consider the bottom girl a perpetrator and respond with jail sentences and correctional programs?

It is a difficult question and the answer is likely unsatisfying: every case is different and should be investigated independently so as to bring justice in the greatest way possible.

The Same Girl: A Progression over time into the depths of prostituion

My experience revealed the importance of awareness at all levels. Judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys need to be adequately trained on the issue of sex trafficking to be able to evaluate each case and to fully understand the circumstances under which the crimes were committed.  One promising practice is found in the state of Georgia where an expert witness panel was formed to provide informed testimony for the court, improving the likelihood of better outcomes for those “bottom girls” who are charged with conspiring, aiding or committing human trafficking as a result of trying to survive their enslavement, like I was.

As one who has experienced the consequences of this dilemma, it is especially difficult to say that there are circumstances in which the “bottom girl” may actually have stepped over the slippery line of victimization into the role of offender. In any case, age should never be a determining factor in the decision to charge a victim. The simple argument that a victim over the age of 18 should know better does not realistically consider the very real duress experienced by the trafficking victim. But how do we determine when the “bottom girl” is acquitted or convicted? What could I have said in my defense that would have changed the outcome of my conviction? What will we hear in the story of a “bottom girl?”

May 4, 2012 by Shamere

Unavoidable Destiny | The “bottom girl” – victim or criminal?

Although I never physically or psychological abused any of the girls in my “stable,” I am considered a criminal.  Under the direction of my pimp, I upheld the rules and maintained control.  I ensured the girls were working and not sitting down in the club; I made sure the girls were not “out of pocket” (behaving outside the rules and guidelines of the pimp). I had to drive the girls to work, if I refused, I was threatened with death. Yet by driving, I became a criminal and was charged with conspiracy to the Mann Act–driving minors across state lines for illegal commerce.

A bottom girl is almost always emotionally attached to her pimp.  This is referred to at the Stockholm Syndrome–a condition that makes victims empathetic and defend their abusers. A bottom girl is extremely loyal to her pimp. Through manipulation, the pimp allows the bottom girl to feel she is in an intimate relationship with him/her and is not enslaved. The manipulation may simply be a reminder of how much she is loved as the pimp provides food, clothing, and housing for her; a reminder that all her bills are paid and life is easy.  Her compliant obedience to her pimp is not only to make him happy but also out of terror of the outcome if she does not act accordingly.

This is where things get complicated. When law enforcement becomes involved, a bottom girl will initially defend her pimp as she mistakes his abuse as an act of kindness. She defends the pimp’s act of rape, severe beatings, and verbal abuse by blaming herself. She often feels that she deserved what was done to her.

A pimp will convince a bottom girl that law enforcement will not rescue her; they will arrest her and send her to prison. And just like the pimp promised, the bottom girl is often arrested and charged as a co-defendant in a trafficking or prostitution case. She is inclined to believe the lies told to her by her pimp and has no trust in law enforcement.  Having been warned by her pimp and receiving no rescue or services, she becomes unwilling to corporate in the investigation and tries to protect him. Believing that the pimp will be proud of her, she is often willing to accept any charges brought against her.

Anti-trafficking organizations understand that the bottom girl was under the direction of her pimp when she committed crimes.  However, her dual role as a victim and criminal make it complicated for lawyers, prosecutors, and judges to uphold the law while acknowledging her victimization. Yet, justice must be served and the bottom girl is faced with taking responsibility of her own actions despite the circumstances.

Come back next week to learn how Shared Hope has effectively addressed this issue.

March 30, 2012 by Shamere

Unavoidable Destiny | The Reality of the “Bottom Girl” Part 2

Last week I wrote on the realities of the “bottom girl.” This person has been heavily manipulated to become the pimp’s right hand man.  Will you stop for a second just to imagine the kind of manipulation that took place for anyone to be second to the pimp? Through all the physical and psychological torture, this person became loyal to a guerilla pimp (pimp who uses fear, violence and coercion).   Imagine being loyal to a friend who betrays your trust? Isn’t it difficult to stay loyal to these kinds of people? Now add violence to that situation.

Pimps manipulate bottoms more than any other girl. One of the most common lies is that he is going to leave “the game” to have a life with her.  Sometimes, the pimp dangles her dreams in front of her.  “Yes, I will send you back to school; yes, I will get you your own apartment; and yes, I will get you a car.” However, while she is with her pimp it will never be her reality, only a dream. But here she is, clinging to the unrealistic hope that one day he will fulfill his promise.

I was manipulated to become the pimp’s “bottom girl” through the promise of school.  I knew the first night he forced me to sell my body that I was not comfortable in that life but I was beaten to the point of unconsciousness for telling him I wanted out. Then, the same man who beat me so badly, turned into prince charming. Apologizing and affirming that I will go back to school.

The duties of the bottom girl are clear, but for some it’s difficult to comprehend. Her responsibilities to the pimp make it easy for our society and judicial system to see her as criminal instead of a victim.  She is beaten, threatened, and forced to exert the same level of exploitation and coercion as the pimp, contributing to her dual role as victim and exploiter. The authority given to her in the pimp’s absence comes with great accountability. To whom much is given much is required.

Come back next Friday to learn how the characteristics of the bottom unfold from victim and through coercion and violence by the trafficker, the victim becomes exploitative as well..

March 23, 2012 by Shamere

Unavoidable Destiny | The Reality of the “Bottom Girl” Part I

Language, norms and roles are some of the basic elements of culture. The “life” or the “game” is the subculture of sex trafficking. Within this subculture, prostitution is one of the obvious norms and the language would not be understood by someone outside of this culture.  Terms like wife-in-law, tricks or bottom girl/b***h are common within the commercial sex industry.  There are also different roles in this culture.  The pimp is the top of the hierarchy and is the only one who profits. He defines the roles, makes the rules, and administers punishment when deemed necessary. Everyone must obey him and do whatever he says. The bottom girl is the pimp’s most trusted girl; she usually has been with the pimp the longest and knows the rules of “the game.”

Let’s take a closer look at the bottom girl. The term bottom girl is not one you would come across if you are not familiar with sex trafficking culture. In fact, bottom girl is a descent title.  A pimp would refer to her as his bottom b***h.  Many understand the pimp’s role, but the role of a bottom girl is more ambiguous. A pimp appoints a bottom girl in efforts to divide and conquer. Every girl under pimp control wants to be the bottom girl, as it signifies honor through the preference and trust of the pimp. This is where the competition begins. Girls try to prove to “daddy” (the pimp) that she deserves to be the bottom.  She may tell on other girls to prove her loyalty to her pimp. She may work harder to prove she can bring in the most money for her pimp.  This increases competition among the girls, which increases profits for the pimp.

To the public and the other girls in the stable, the bottom girl is seen as being special to the pimp and is granted special privileges.  What glitters is not always gold.  Here are some things you may not have known about the bottom girl.

Truths about the “bottom girl”:

1.       She has been with the pimp the longest.

2.       She makes the most money.

3.       She oversees the other girls and collects the money in the pimp’s absence.

4.       She books hotel rooms.

5.       She transports others to clubs, out-calls, home, etc.

6.       She is sent by the pimp to bail girls out of jail.

7.       She trains new girls under the direction of the pimp.

8.       She sits in the front seat of the car if the pimp is driving.

9.       She sleeps in bed with the pimp.

10.   She is envied by other girls.

11.   She has been heavily manipulated.

12.   She usually endures the most severe abuse.

13.   She is the one arrested and prosecuted with the pimp.

14.   She DOES NOT PROFIT.

Each stable is set up differently to maintain power.  In some stables the pimp clearly appoints a bottom girl, while in other stables there is no bottom. I didn’t know I was the bottom until I was arrested.  Though I did all the things listed above, my pimp said he had no bottom.  I remember on one occasion my pimp stomped on me because he smelt alcohol on a girl’s breath. He asked me if she had been drinking but I didn’t know.  I was beaten but she was not. I didn’t understand until another girl explained I should have been watching her and keeping her in line. I had to pay the price.

Come back next week as I explain each of the truths about the bottom girl.

March 15, 2012 by Shamere

Unavoidable Destiny | Introducing Shamere McKenzie

Shamere McKenzie once believed her hopes of becoming an attorney were shattered. However, as the Policy Assistant at Shared Hope International she is now empowered to pick up the broken pieces and is determined to be an attorney.

Have you ever had something fall from your hands and shatter to pieces? You loved this thing; but as you stare on the broken pieces it’s clear that you can never put it back together.  That is how I felt taking a plea to something I had no control over.   I felt all my hopes and dreams were unachievable now that I had a felony conviction.

I was forced into the life of sex trafficking where fear was the number one thing that kept me enslaved to a guerilla pimp.  Being physically and psychologically abused was one thing; but seeing others  being physically and psychologically abused was another, as there was no way I could intervene.  My experiences may be too gruesome for your stomach but the reality is it happened and I had no control over it. What would you do if a gun was placed to your head? What would you do if you were beaten to the point of unconsciousness? What would you do if your family was threatened?

Formal education or socioeconomic background does not exempt one from becoming a victim of sex trafficking.   I was a 3rd year college student when this happened to me.  A naïve 21-year-old girl who members of society may say is old enough to know better.   Question is, at what age is one no longer naïve to ALL things?  Yes, at this age there are some things I have a vast amount of knowledge on but this subject I knew nothing.

Standing in the courtroom listening to the judge say, Ms. McKenzie you are smart enough to know better, you are a college student. I believed her for that moment.  I should have known better. Trying to justify that the judge was correct I asked myself, why did you go back to that monster after running away three times?

Then I remembered the fourth and final time I ran away and why it was permanent. The click of his gun and the one bullet that stood between life and death for me. The fear of him killing me or my family was gone and I went back home to my family. I obtained a job, an attorney and was in the process of enrolling in school when I was arrested by the FBI for being an accomplice in his criminal enterprise. Once I was his victim. Escape made me a survivor. But the justice system meant to protect me now called me a criminal. That’s when I felt my life was shattered into broken pieces and there was not enough super glue in the world to put it back together.

I could not understand how the FBI could not see that I was innocent. But they didn’t. So I was charged for driving minors across state lines for the purpose of prostitution. For driving! They didn’t understand how many times I told my pimp I didn’t want to drive and was beaten for it.  At one point he even put a gun in my mouth and pulled the trigger—luckily the gun was unloaded.   Now, I had to suffer. I thought ‘My life is over I might as well give up. What was there to live for? I told the truth and am still being severely punished.  I might as well slice my wrist and just get it over with.’

My best friend chose to intervene and is one reason I am the Policy Assistant at Shared Hope International today.  I found my super glue to put the pieces back together.  Though the road may have been very rocky and I was faced with much adversity, I strongly believe my sex trafficking experience was a part of my destiny.  I found the strength to live out my destiny, turning that negative situation into something positive.  Once a victim – now the Protected Innocence Initiative Policy Assistant.

Check back every Friday for my weekly column as I share an insider’s perspective on today’s biggest anti-trafficking policies.

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