Leave the money on the nightstand.

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This week, we’re talking about elite prostitution.

In an article entitled, “Elite Prostitution in Bulgaria: Experiences and Practices of Brokers” in the Sexuality Research and Social Policy Journal, the author, Georgi Petrunov, seeks to understand the nature of elite prostitution in Bulgaria. In today’s edition, we’re sharing what we learned about this rarely discussed form of prostitution.

Oftentimes, when prostitution is discussed, it’s addressed in the context of street prostitution, human trafficking or some combination thereof. Like all industries, there are variations within the sex work industry and today, we’re exploring this elite form.

The Journal article is based on transcribed court cases of six different brokers who were arrested and convicted of prostitution and other related activities.

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According to Petrunov, “In this article, ‘elite prostitution’ signifies a type of prostitution which involves a small circle of affluent and powerful clientele in high positions in various social spheres (for example, in politics, business, sports, media, but also criminal bosses). Due to their public status and wealth, these privileged clients demand discretion in the use of paid sex services and have very particular requirements about the appearance of sex workers, many of whom are models, singers, and dancers.”

The Broker
The broker serves as a middleman, developing and managing relationships with elite clientele and highly sought sex workers. In an industry shrouded in privacy, where lack of discretion can break careers and ruin public image, the broker is responsible for recruiting, vetting and securing clientele and sex workers.

Who are the clients?
In Bulgaria, income inequality is significant. The average monthly salary is 490 euros and close to 20% of 15 – 24 year olds neither work nor study. On the other side of the coin, there exists an extremely wealthy circle of politicians, businessmen, athletes, entertainers and criminals who have gained access to substantial financial resources since the fall of socialism. The overwhelming majority of these wealthy Bulgarians are men – giving them the financial means to consume luxury goods and services, including those of elite sex workers.

How are sex workers recruited?
Recruitment strategies vary, but two of the most commonly cited were through modeling agencies and workers recruiting other workers. In the court cases, women who approached modeling agencies strictly for the purpose of modeling, were told that they wouldn’t make much money on the runway – the real way to make money is through sex work. Some women report declining while others pursued the opportunity.

Additionally, brokers and sex workers who were interviewed during court cases report sex workers recruiting their friends and associates. In these cases, the prospective worker is introduced to the broker who then vets the prospect. Brokers reported different approaches to vetting – from taking women out on a series of dates to determine their comfort level with sex work, to requiring women to “audition” with the broker to not only determine if they were comfortable with sex work, but also to understand the extent of their sexual abilities (a factor that can impact pay rates).

How do clients select workers?
Brokers present workers to their clientele in a variety of ways. Some arrange professional photographs of workers and compile them in a catalog, website or social media page, while others invite workers to events, parties, business meetings, dinners, etc. where clients can see workers in person and make selections.

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What about the money?
Brokers reported different rates for workers, ranging from 200 euros per session up to several thousand euros. Rates are established based on the level of attractiveness, sexual abilities and specificity of the client’s requests. Some workers report counter-negotiating higher rates with the broker who would then negotiate with the client.

One way in which pricing can increase is based on public image. If a worker is a public figure – a popular model, singer, actress, pageant winner, etc. – the rate increases, incentivizing workers to participate in those endeavors not only for their personal goals and interests, but also in an effort to bolster their rates.

The broker’s cut can range from 20% - 50% - depending upon the type of broker, the demand for the worker, the agreed upon rate and if any other parties are involved. Other parties can include travel agents for travel to meet clients, chauffeurs, bookers, etc.

It's not just Bulgaria...
Throughout the transcribed court proceedings, brokers and workers spoke of traveling internationally to meet clients – to places like Dubai, Greece, Italy, Germany, France, Netherlands and Austria. While these places are not the subject of this article, it stands to reason that elite prostitution, in some form, is happening in those places as well.

Interesting Bedfellows
Brokers reported clients having voracious appetites for new workers – to the extent that the average worker was with a broker for only a few months at a time. After cycling through the broker’s clientele, the worker may lose value.

As a result, workers develop relationships with multiple brokers – which is quite different from the typical “pimping” arrangement often referenced in street prostitution where a worker is forbidden from engaging with other pimps.

By working with multiple brokers, elite workers have access to larger pools of clientele. Additionally, brokers will work with each other, sharing contacts and work opportunities with other brokers and taking revenue cuts along the way.

None of the workers interviewed reported being coerced or assaulted (physically or verbally) in the course of their work – by neither their clients nor their brokers. The brokers interviewed did not report using these tactics either. The extent to which “punishment” occurred was when workers were presented with opportunities to work and if they declined, they risked not being contacted again by a broker.

The entire network relies heavily on trust. Brokers trusting workers, workers trusting brokers, clients trusting brokers, and so forth. It is through this delicate balance that this world of elite prostitution is able to operate out of the public eye.

Thank you for reading this week’s edition of Discover Intimacy! We hope you enjoyed this edition and your sexual intellect was delightfully awakened.

Sources
Journal: Sexuality Research and Social Policy
Article: Elite Prostitution in Bulgaria: Experiences and Practices of Brokers
Author: Georgi Petrunov
Date Published: August 2018

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