Brothels no safe haven: expert

THEY tout themselves as a better alternative to turning tricks on the streets. But a report on Winnipeg's sex trade reveals brothels, massage parlours and escort agencies aren't the safe haven their owners promote them to be.

A 16-page document filed last week in a high-profile sentencing hearing -- and obtained Monday by the Free Press -- provides a glimpse into the inner workings of the industry. Sgt. Gene Bowers authored an expert opinion on how the "pimps" who run these businesses are really no better than those who ply their trade outdoors.

If anything, those who go underground become harder for authorities to monitor and shut down -- such as the 47-year-old Wolseley housewife who admitted last week to turning her two-storey home into a sex den while working as a leather-clad dominatrix.

"They operate as fronts for prostitution. Both the men and women (who run them) use various forms of psychological manipulation in order to persuade, compel or entice persons into prostitution," Bowers wrote. He described the mostly young women who work in this industry as "inmates" who don't necessarily realize how they're being victimized.

"Some of the grooming techniques (by the operators) are so well-executed that the person is unable to recognize they are being sexually exploited," he said.

Bowers has spent the past decade investigating crimes linked to the sex trade, which has included five other brothels previously shut down by police. He was most recently assigned to the Manitoba Integrated Task Force for Missing and Murdered Women. He said the grooming includes forcing the young workers into having a "practice session" with the business owner to ensure they are not undercover police officers and to gain a level of control.

"This is used as a form of intimidation whereby the keeper would threaten to reveal the girl's actions to police in an attempt to discredit them," said Bowers. "As is often the case, many female inmates of bawdy houses are too embarrassed or ashamed to admit they were convinced into having sex with the bawdy-house keeper."

The brothel owner who was in court last week -- known to her customers as "Sinful Sydnee" -- pleaded guilty to keeping a common bawdy house. Similar charges against her husband were dropped as part of the plea deal. Her real name is under a court-ordered publication ban to protect her children.

The Crown seeks a conditional sentence for the woman, while defence lawyer Evan Roitenberg has requested a period of probation. Queen's Bench Justice Deborah McCawley has reserved her decision.

Police arrested the woman in June 2009 following an investigation of the Stiles Street residence.

Police learned the woman ran her sex-for-cash business since at least 2007, employing at least a dozen young adult women and even one 18-year-old man to offer up various kinky services to customers.

Also, the woman's 11-year-old daughter and 17-year-old son were living in the home and were apparently aware of their mother's profession. The teen admitted he even helped "recruit" a handful of the people who ended up working for his mother after meeting them at a youth help line he volunteered at, court was told. Many of the workers were reluctant to testify against the woman, claiming they enjoyed the opportunity she provided.

"The fact they all liked (the accused) and felt they were in a business relationship is not surprising," said Bowers. "It's a common tactic to befriend the person and have them enter into what they believe is a fair business relationship. The relationship is actually exploitative, but appears to be reciprocal on the surface."

Bowers spent several weeks analyzing the business records connected to the woman's brothel and concluded it was a highly organized operation. She would take a $60 cut from every client. Typically, customers paid $180 an hour for a full range of services.

"The commodity that this business is selling is sex, and this commodity can be sold over and over again. The profit margin is very high for a business like this," said Bowers.

Roitenberg told court last week his client believed she was providing a safe alternative for young people who wanted to work in the sex trade -- something she herself had dreamed about since she was a teenager. By keeping them off the streets and screening clients, the woman remains adamant she wasn't hurting anyone.

The woman now lives in Vancouver, where she volunteers with an organization that helps sex-trade workers get off the streets, court was told. She is estranged from her husband, who has custody of their daughter, who is now 15. Their 21-year-old son lives on his own.

www.mikeoncrime.com

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 1, 2011 A3