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“T<strong>here</strong> are many pimps that when you have paid the debt they tell you «nowyou have to find your own money to do something in Nigeria», t<strong>here</strong> are those thathelp these girls, that take money to the country, who help the girls buy a house inthe country” (Interview Victim No.9).From the interviews undertaken with the Law Enforcement operators onededuces that, mainly for these characteristics, the probatory ascertaining the crimeof exploitation is more complex. At the superficial level it would appear that thevictims are in agreement and, even being able, they do not rebel, even if placedunder heavy forms of control, not immediately perceptible by those who do notshare the culture and the Nigerian mentality.The fact that the madam, (inasmuch as being a woman, and often previously aprostitute) knows perfectly what involves, at physical and psychological level, alife on the street and prostituting oneself, make conditions of constriction andexploitation a more acceptable to some of the victims.“If a woman tells you to go on the street you accept because she is like you, shehas already done so. But if it is a man you would say «make a cut on the stomachand you go!» You respect them because at least they know what they are talkingabout” (Interview Victim No.5).Further the move up made by some madams from victims to exploitersrepresents for many girls a real prospective to look upon with favour.From some witnesses it emerges that t<strong>here</strong> is a different vision which wouldtend to prefer men as exploiters as they are less interested in this type of activityand t<strong>here</strong>fore less demanding.“T<strong>here</strong> are also men who are pimps, but t<strong>here</strong> are not many like the Albanians.But the men are better. It is better to have a man as a pimp, many men if you pay abit, then they let you free, instead with the women you have to pay all. But themajor number are women, men do not like to do this, send a girl on the street andwork for them” (Interview Victim No.9).Generally, however, the men have other roles inside the organisation and evenin the case w<strong>here</strong> they have bought some girls, it is nearly always a woman whohas the responsibility to control and collect the money earned on their behalf. Onlyin the case w<strong>here</strong> the madam has a problem with the law and is obliged to leaveItaly does a fiancé enter on the scene, a friend of this woman with the duty ofcontinuing her work.These persons, often present in the houses w<strong>here</strong> the girls live, are described bythe latter as doing nothing, being maintained. Rarely they are in charge of themanagement with the madam, while t<strong>here</strong> exists other male figures controlling andcarrying out, if necessary, physical violence.Often the state of complete subjection and dependence imposed by the madamis difficult to accept, especially for those who have chosen to come to Italy toprostitute themselves and find they have to work in conditions of slavery. Whatemerges from the testimony is that what weighs upon them all is not to have thepossibility to start immediately to earn for oneself, but is having to give all theirown earnings without having anything in exchange.

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