The tattoo industry has grown tremendously over the past two decades. With that growth, there is a need for stronger systems of accountability and protection to be put into place.
Tattooing is an incredibly personal, close contact interaction between an artist and a client. The process requires a significant amount of trust, vulnerability, professionalism, and care. Unfortunately, situations occur where that trust is abused through predatory, exploitative, coercive, or unsafe behavior.
We need protective measures to be put into place that help ensure the safety of clients, tattoo artists, apprentices, shop staff etc.
With that said, I’m asking for your help.
If you have personally experienced or witnessed unsafe behavior, misconduct, exploitation, harassment, or abuse within the tattoo industry as a client, tattoo artist, apprentice, or shop employee and are willing to share your experience- your story will help support the development of legislation to improve accountability and safety standards within the industry.
My goal is to demonstrate that these issues are not isolated incidents, but patterns that deserve attention and meaningful solutions.
I believe there should be clear disciplinary and oversight measures in place to protect people from unsafe individuals operating within the industry.
The next legislative session begins in January. I’m currently gathering information, support, and testimonies to help build the strongest proposal possible.
All names and identifying information will remain confidential unless you explicitly give permission otherwise.
To share your story, you can:
• DM me here
• Email me at
[email protected]
• Or, if you would prefer to stay completely anonymous, fill out the Google Form linked in my bio
I’ll continue posting updates here as progress is made.
UPDATE: I am currently seeking support from advocacy organizations. The legal director at the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence is reaching out internally to discuss potential support for the proposal. #tattooindustry #tattooartist