In an effort to combat human trafficking, a new mandate in Tennessee now requires tattoo artists to complete training that will aid in identifying possible victims. The “Ink of Hope Act”, as reported by Local Memphis, specifies that tattoo professionals must take up to an hour of free training online or in-person to spot signs of trafficking, including injuries, branding tattoos, and coerced behavior.
Operators in the tattoo industry not only have to recognize these signs but also learn how to report them effectively to the Tennessee Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline, since they’re often at the forefront interacting with individuals who may show these marks or behaviors, Dustin Schild, owner of Studio 42 Tattoo and Piercing, told Local Memphis, explaining that traffickers sometimes utilize tattoos to mark or identify those under their control and some clients seek to cover up such tattoos his artists have encountered clients requesting cover-ups of forced tattoos, which indicates the proximity of his trade to the dark undercurrents of trafficking.
According to 3B Media News, tattoo artists newly applying for licensure must pass a revised exam that includes questions about human trafficking, while those currently licensed have until December 31, 2028, to complete the training or risk having their license invalidated until they do so. The law, which has received bipartisan support, also provides civil, criminal, and administrative immunity for professionals reporting suspicions of trafficking in good faith…