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..

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.