Madams in Sex Business in Spain: Receptionists, Managers, or Pimps?

Abstract

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The Spanish pay for sex scene has varied significantly in the last decades and most of the European literature has focused on the active role of women in human trafficking networks. However, there is scarce research examining the stories of women holding managerial positions in the pay for sex organizations in the South of Europe. By questioning the often binarized perceptions of the madams, this study aims to demonstrate the distinct roles that female decision-makers in the brothels can occupy. Data comes from two samples of business owners and traffickers. Research methods include qualitative techniques such as in-depth interviews, informal interviews and ethnographic observations. By combining the analyzed data with the previous literature, a Mediterranean model of madams is proposed. Results show the need for more critical research analyzing the experiences of women with significant roles in the Southern European sex market.