Human Trafficking Talk in Billings

In human trafficking, there is no prostitution without customers. Q2 reports that’s one of the messages from a man who has worked on helping women overcome the pain associated with sexual exploitation. Peter Qualliotine spoke on Thursday at the Billings Public Library about ending commercial sexual exploitation, at the Royal C. Johnson Community Room, sponsored by the Yellowstone County Area Human Trafficking Task Force. He is co-founder of the Seattle-based Organization for Prostitution Survivors. He says many prostitutes start as teens who are abused and are vulnerable to pimps and their customers. Qualliotine has also worked with men who have been convicted of buying sex. He said “It’s called a trick because he’s paying for the illusion of consent… the reality is it’s probably one of the last things she wants to do.” Get more online at KTVQ.com.