Moved from one city to another
The phenomenon of exploitation of these Latino sex workers (TDS) has increased in recent years and is becoming more and more problematic, notes Myria. There we find the influence of highly organized transnational criminal networks. The victims, mainly women, come mainly from Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.
Recruited to work in prostitution in Europe where they are promised attractive income, they are trapped by networks made up of cells which set up “prostitution carousels”. Forced to work in private places by offering their services online, victims are moved from one city to another, from one place to another, depending on the risks of detection by the police and new opportunities.
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On a former industrial site in Lodelinsart
Little information is available about this form of private and hidden prostitution. But as a civil party, Myria had access to a legal file prepared in Charleroi. The public body, which has sifted through dozens of reports, victim interviews, recordings of telephone tapping, etc., provides an edifying analysis of the system that had been put in place. The defendants were sentenced in 2022 for human trafficking and exploitation of prostitution – two of them were also convicted of trafficking.
At the crossroads of two interconnected networks, a former industrial site in Lodelinsart transformed into a large residential building. The place serves as the main base for dozens of sex workers who work in private rooms. Michel*, the owner of the real estate complex, is the central protagonist. He serves as an intermediary with the main defendants. Registered in the police database for exploitation of prostitution, money laundering and assault and battery, the man has a long arm. He is informed in advance of the searches thanks to a “police officer friend”.
The owner, the boss, the guard, the drivers…
In the role of the main defendants: Dulce*, of Brazilian nationality, and her partner Gilberto*, a Belgian of Syrian origin, themselves owners of several apartments. Dulce sets up and directs the first network. It defines the role of the members, gives instructions on the reception of TDS on their arrival at the airport, on distribution to the different locations, on telephone management. She receives half of the income of the women who work for her and determines the working conditions: hours, prices, locations. Gilberto helps him write the ads and publish them on the “Quartier Rouge” website. He also collects money generated by prostitution.
In their shadow, there is Ali*, the caretaker of the Lodelinsart building, supplier of cocaine on occasion. Dulce’s son and a Belgian play the drivers. They collect the TDS on their arrival at Charleroi or Brussels airport and transport them from one place of prostitution to another.
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The “telephonists”, often former prostitutes
There are also the “telephonists”, a precious link in the system and a phenomenon specific to Latin American sex workers. They are generally women, often former prostitutes, who supplement their income by managing online service advertisements. They are responsible for communications with clients, answer calls, set appointments, transmit the address to the TDS, and control the duration and terms of sexual services. It’s their number that appears on the classified ads. Latino prostitutes, who do not speak French, Dutch or English, rely on them for work because of the language barrier – putting them at increased risk of exploitation.
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Simultaneously driver, recruiter and chaperone
In the case investigated in Charleroi, three defendants acted as “telephonists” for the first network: a mother and a daughter of Peruvian nationality, as well as a Belgian woman. They received 5 to 10 euros per customer. A “good day” of prostitution could bring in 8,000 euros in Dulce, according to the statements of Sophie, the Belgian “telephonist”.
At the head of the second network, Mae* and Fausto*, another couple composed of a Belgian of Brazilian origin and a Brazilian. Where we find Michel*, the owner of Lodelinsart who corrupts police officers, and Ali*, the guard. And a certain Valentin, both driver, recruiter and chaperone.
We warned: it’s almost Netflix.
* All first names are borrowed
Latino prostitutes are constantly monitored, via apps, by criminal networks: “Their living conditions are often appalling”
