“I was not mentally prepared for the sheer volume of people who came forward”.
At the height of the #MeToo Movement, a new motion began in 2018 on Instagram where women would speak up about their stories of sexual assault from other tattoo artists. The Tattoo Me Too movement started with Instagram pages such as @tsass_uk and, Things & Ink, a tattoo magazine made for women. The women fronting these platforms allowed others to speak out about their experiences, challenging the lack of regulations in the industry.
Glasgow-based tattoo artist Fidjit, began posting the names of alleged rapists and abusers on her Instagram in 2015. She became the Creator of the Drowning Girl tattoo, which symbolises keeping your head above water and surviving sexual assault.
Following this, she received countless messages from many women and with their permission, started to share their stories with male tattoo artists. The men discussed were accused and convicted of abuse and assault during their profession.
“I received over 400 DM’s in one day. People who have been assaulted whilst getting tattooed they then have to have that reminder on their body. It’s a disgusting feeling.”
Giving victims a voice
City News spoke with Fidjit about why she started her campaign:
“The first few years of me tattooing I would hear all these stories but that’s all that it was. But then, the person who’s done this thing, they’re still working in the industry and there’s no repercussions for it.
I was trying to figure out what can I do, what’s in my power to stop this from happening to someone else.”
Fidjit is one of many women who believes the lack of regulations in the industry has allowed the sexual abuse to continue.
Lack of regulations
In order to become a tattoo artist in England, you currently only need to be licensed by a local authority. A DBS check is not required.
Brighton-based tattooist Ruby Rose spoke to City News about the lack of industry guidelines and the dangers it poses to women.
“You are not in a company that has a guideline where, you break this rule, you are fired. Even if you are fired, you could go to another studio who has no idea about how you behaved and then you carry on the same thing.
It’s a constant cycle that I’ve seen happen over and over again. It’s one of the only industries where you can come in with a criminal record for sexual assault and nobody would know. There definitely needs to be checks and proper guidelines.”
Creating safe spaces
In order to mitigate these negative experiences, many tattoo artists like Brighton-based Dolly Plunkett set up studios to create safe spaces for women. The Dollhouse is a feminist-run tattoo studio which promotes inclusivity and empowerment for women and queer people.
The owner, Dolly, set up the Tattoo MeToo Recovery Artists Program in 2020, providing free tattoo coverups to those who had been assaulted.
“I set up a program to raise awareness and educate people on what is and isn’t okay, and how to protect yourself. We had lots of links to charities that could support people more with their mental health.
As far as tattooing goes, we wanted to provide a service that enables people to change those memories and create a place where they can do that comfortably.”
The campaign to end assault within the industry has had tattooists sharing online what the correct practice and procedures are when receiving a tattoo. Respecting privacy and consent, especially when tattooing intimate areas, was the main aspect highlighted during safe practice.
Dolly spoke to City News about how the nature of the industry can exploit women under the needle.
“You have to remind your clients that they are the ones in control. Unfortunately, in this industry there is a natural power dynamic. There is pain involved and there is permanence involved. There is a lot of people who are attracted to it and will take advantage of it.”
If you or somebody you know has been affected by anything discussed in this article, help and support can be found at the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse support line.
Call 0808 500 2222 or find support at 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk.
Content Warning: This article contains mentions of sexual assault and rape.
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
Headline‘There are no set rules’: Assault and sexism in the tattoo industry
Short HeadlineInside the tattoo industry: Sexism and sexual assault
StandfirstThe lack of regulations within the tattoo industry has left many women creating online forums, warning others about their attackers.
“I was not mentally prepared for the sheer volume of people who came forward”.
At the height of the #MeToo Movement, a new motion began in 2018 on Instagram where women would speak up about their stories of sexual assault from other tattoo artists. The Tattoo Me Too movement started with Instagram pages such as @tsass_uk and, Things & Ink, a tattoo magazine made for women. The women fronting these platforms allowed others to speak out about their experiences, challenging the lack of regulations in the industry.
Glasgow-based tattoo artist Fidjit, began posting the names of alleged rapists and abusers on her Instagram in 2015. She became the Creator of the Drowning Girl tattoo, which symbolises keeping your head above water and surviving sexual assault.
Following this, she received countless messages from many women and with their permission, started to share their stories with male tattoo artists. The men discussed were accused and convicted of abuse and assault during their profession.
“I received over 400 DM’s in one day. People who have been assaulted whilst getting tattooed they then have to have that reminder on their body. It’s a disgusting feeling.”
Giving victims a voice
City News spoke with Fidjit about why she started her campaign:
“The first few years of me tattooing I would hear all these stories but that’s all that it was. But then, the person who’s done this thing, they’re still working in the industry and there’s no repercussions for it.
I was trying to figure out what can I do, what’s in my power to stop this from happening to someone else.”
Fidjit is one of many women who believes the lack of regulations in the industry has allowed the sexual abuse to continue.
Lack of regulations
In order to become a tattoo artist in England, you currently only need to be licensed by a local authority. A DBS check is not required.
Brighton-based tattooist Ruby Rose spoke to City News about the lack of industry guidelines and the dangers it poses to women.
“You are not in a company that has a guideline where, you break this rule, you are fired. Even if you are fired, you could go to another studio who has no idea about how you behaved and then you carry on the same thing.
It’s a constant cycle that I’ve seen happen over and over again. It’s one of the only industries where you can come in with a criminal record for sexual assault and nobody would know. There definitely needs to be checks and proper guidelines.”
Creating safe spaces
In order to mitigate these negative experiences, many tattoo artists like Brighton-based Dolly Plunkett set up studios to create safe spaces for women. The Dollhouse is a feminist-run tattoo studio which promotes inclusivity and empowerment for women and queer people.
The owner, Dolly, set up the Tattoo MeToo Recovery Artists Program in 2020, providing free tattoo coverups to those who had been assaulted.
“I set up a program to raise awareness and educate people on what is and isn’t okay, and how to protect yourself. We had lots of links to charities that could support people more with their mental health.
As far as tattooing goes, we wanted to provide a service that enables people to change those memories and create a place where they can do that comfortably.”
The campaign to end assault within the industry has had tattooists sharing online what the correct practice and procedures are when receiving a tattoo. Respecting privacy and consent, especially when tattooing intimate areas, was the main aspect highlighted during safe practice.
Dolly spoke to City News about how the nature of the industry can exploit women under the needle.
“You have to remind your clients that they are the ones in control. Unfortunately, in this industry there is a natural power dynamic. There is pain involved and there is permanence involved. There is a lot of people who are attracted to it and will take advantage of it.”
If you or somebody you know has been affected by anything discussed in this article, help and support can be found at the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse support line.
Call 0808 500 2222 or find support at 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk.
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