Romeo, CEO & Gorilla
No, I’m not talking about a new movie with interesting characters. Yet, I am talking about stories of people, and like Romeo and Juliet, they can be tragic. Romeo, CEO, and Gorilla are given terms for pimps, using different grooming tactics to lure victims into sex trafficking. It is essential to familiarize yourself with their tactics to avoid becoming a victim yourself, or maybe learn how to save a friend's life.
Photo by Ruthson Zimmerman on Unsplash
DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRAFFICKERS
When we think about pimps, an image of an evil, tuff guy with grilled-out teeth, and a black leather jacket might come to mind. Unfortunately, a pimp, also known as a trafficker, might be the coolest, most charming guy (or maybe even a woman) you’ve ever met. Romeo, CEO, and Gorilla are names used for different types of traffickers who lure vulnerable girls (and boys) into their traps. Each uses similar yet specific techniques; all three don’t even represent all that could be out there. But they give us good guidelines on what to watch out for, so let’s go through them individually.
ROMEO
Also known as ‘loverboy’ will be the type of boyfriend you have always wanted. He is charming and easygoing. He takes an interest in you, and it might feel like there is nothing else in the world other than the two of you. He might be older than you and take you to ‘adult’ places—the best restaurants or clubs. Give you lovely gifts, and promise to take care of you. Romeo pimps can take their time in luring their prey. Why? Because you can only sell guns or drugs once, but you can sell a person over and over again. Traffickers can make close to $ 50,000 from each victim. It’s just a business opportunity for them. They mainly target girls or boys who are runaways from broken homes or just looking for love and attention in the wrong places.
CEO
He is a businessman. He seems successful and influential. He might drive the most excellent car and have the most exciting job. He will come to you with an unbelievable opportunity. It might be a modeling or acting contract, maybe even to work in a fantastic new start-up or become an influencer. He will show you a lifestyle that you secretly desire. Anything really to lure you in. Both Romeo and the CEO type of the traffickers will then descend into sexual exploitation and abuse, even as the trafficker promotes it as a life of luxury and love. This is referred to as trauma bonding, a form of coercive control in which traffickers instill fear as well as gratitude for being allowed to live. (Litam article. Link here.)
GORILLA
Finally, we will discuss the type most associated with trafficking. The crazy, big, violent guy who will snatch his victims from the street. That scenario is relatively uncommon. But it can happen. A gorilla trafficker will use threats and physical and emotional violence to control his victims, and Romeo and Gorilla traffickers will eventually become a Gorilla. These types of traffickers are looking for their next prey. They hang out in shopping malls, house parties, nightclubs, and on social media, anywhere without parental supervision.
Can Rome, CEO, or Gorilla also be a woman?
Yes! I am mainly referring to male traffickers because it is the most common type. BUT women traffickers are doing the same work. A stunning, well-dressed woman might approach you at a party and offer something exciting. Or a modeling scout on the street. Maybe even a woman in designer clothes is asking for help with her car in the shopping mall parking lot. It might even be a girl, around your age or a bit older, who is a bit dangerous and cool and invites you to a party with her and some friends.
IS IT TRULY HAPPENING?
This might still seem like a movie to you about a third-world country or a ghetto somewhere. This can never happen here, right? In my hometown? To me?! Wrong! It occurs in Western, developed countries every single day. To girls and boys like yourself, who have had terrible luck, not enough knowledge, or need to care for themselves.
The aim of this article is not to scare you, but to warn you so you can enjoy your youth in a safe way. So go to parties and go for those modeling contracts, or shop with your friends. Please just be careful about your actions and the strangers around you. We can do this together. I will do my best to prepare you for all those situations on this platform.
