Ep 5. Pimps

In season 1 episode 5 of Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, titled "Pimps," Mariana delves into the world of sex trafficking by exploring the role that pimps play in the industry.

The episode opens with Mariana traveling to Atlanta, a hub for sex trafficking in the United States. She meets with a former pimp who shares his experiences and tactics used to lure young girls into prostitution. He reveals that pimps often use drugs and violence to control their victims and that the majority of girls he worked with were underage and from broken homes.

Mariana also speaks with a survivor of sex trafficking who was forced into the industry by her boyfriend. She describes the physical and emotional abuse she endured and how difficult it was to escape. The survivor now works as an advocate for sex trafficking victims and uses her story to raise awareness.

Next, Mariana travels to Amsterdam where prostitution is legal and regulated. She meets with a pimp who owns a legal brothel and discusses the differences between legalized prostitution and sex trafficking. While the pimp claims that his workers are treated well and have a choice in their employment, Mariana looks into the darker side of the industry, including the high rates of sexually transmitted infections and the fact that many workers are immigrants who are vulnerable to exploitation.

Finally, Mariana travels to the border between Mexico and the United States, a prime location for human trafficking. She meets with a group of law enforcement officials who work to stop cross-border trafficking. They describe the challenges they face, including the vastness of the border and the fact that many traffickers use small remote roads to avoid detection.

Throughout the episode, Mariana does not shy away from showing the difficult and brutal realities of sex trafficking. She expertly weaves together interviews with survivors, pimps, law enforcement officials, and experts to create a comprehensive look at the industry. "Pimps" is a thought-provoking and informative episode that sheds light on the horrific nature of sex trafficking and the need for continued efforts to stop it.