‘Models’ were forced to become sex slaves
Victims had to wear tracking devices so they could be constantly monitored
A COUPLE who allegedly set up modelling agencies in order to force women into prostitution have been arrested by the National Police.
According to a force spokesman, they claimed to have high level contacts in the film and fashion industries.
Operating from Elche and Novelda, they promised their victims – who so far number more than 120 women – that they could use their influence to launch them into successful professional careers, producing a profile of photographs for each of them.
However, the reality was very different, with the women pressured into prostitution, even forced to carry a satellite tracking device so they could be located at all times.
The spokesman explained that the investigation was launched by the foreigners and borders brigade based at Elche police station when they were approached by one of the victims.
She told officers that she had been sexually exploited during a period spanning
more than five years.
The woman reported that she had suffered sexual assaults, but had not made an official complaint until now due to ‘fear of reprisals’.
“The officers immediately activated the mechanisms to
protect the victim and started to investigate to see if more woman could have suffered the same treatment,” noted the spokesman.
He said that detectives discovered that the perpetrators were using the names of film producers and top modelling agencies to entice the victims into their web.
“Once they were in their clutches, they were threatened and coerced into prostitution,” he stated.
According to the spokesman, the women had to work very long hours and continued working even if they were ill.
If they resisted, then they were fined or all their income was stopped.
They were also forced to have sex with their pimps and death threats were issued if they refused, according to the spokesman.
He noted that these abuses happened regularly, and included sadomasochistic practices.
They were told that it was a ‘test’ to guarantee that they were satisfying their clients.
Investigating officers carried out a number of searches of premises in Elche and Novelda ‘in which they found evidence that allowed them to identify more than 120 victims’.
The couple have both been charged with sexual assault, forced prostitution and falsifying documents.
A judge ordered them to be remanded in custody.
The investigation remains open as detectives ‘have not ruled out that there may be more victims’.