The Pimp and His Game
Lois Lee, PhD, JD | September 21 | 1:45-2:45 pm
Topic: Direct Service, Conceptual | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
This presentation details 20 social-psychological strategies pimps use to engage, entice, and maintain young women in the role of prostitute. It details how the pimp deters his victims from talking with police, why it is so hard for police to intervene, and what police can do to break the psychological control the pimp has over his victims. This research was conducted initially in 1973 with a review of Civil Rights literature including Malcolm X, Iceberg Slim Pimp: The Story of My Life, Manchild in the Promised Land, and Eldridge Cleaver’s Soul on Ice. To validate this research, the presenter interviewed classmates at California State University, Dominguez Hills who were pimps, members of the Prison Parole Program, and male Muslim activists who followed Elijah Muhammad, the Leader of the Nation of Islam. To further validate this research, she asked police to introduce her to working prostitutes. In 1973, this research was accepted by the Pacific Sociological Association in British Columbia. This presentation has been presented to over 11,000 prostituted children and can be triggering, often resulting in cries of “He did all of that. It was just a game.” This research has been taught to thousands of members of law enforcement in the U.S. and around the world and has been relied on by governments to prosecute pimp/traffickers. It has even been reviewed on more than one occasion by the United States Supreme Court.
Presentation Objectives:
· Train social service providers how to intervene in the relationship and psychological hold a pimp has on his victim
· Discuss when to intervene, how to intervene, and what to say and what not to say