Investigations and survivors have exposed a dark, systemic underbelly of sexual exploitation, abuse, and trafficking rings operated by predatory power brokers within the fashion industry.

While there was no centralized global conspiracy turning models into literal "white sex slaves," investigations and survivors have exposed a dark, systemic underbelly of sexual exploitation, abuse, and trafficking rings operated by predatory power brokers within the fashion industry.

Systemic Exploitation and Power Imbalances

• Unregulated environments: The modeling industry operates largely without strict licensing or labor protections for independent contractors, many of whom begin working as minors.
• Predatory scouts: High-profile agents and insiders—such as the late French scout Jean-Luc Brunel and agency executive Gerald Marie—faced extensive allegations and testimonies from former models detailing grooming, rape, and coercion under the guise of career advancement.
• Debt bondage: Traffickers and fraudulent bookers have historically targeted vulnerable, low-income, or foreign youths, trapping them in cycles of debt and isolation overseas