TATTOOERS
AGAINST TRAFFICKING
THE PROJECT
150,000+ children are lured into prostitution each year
THE PROJECT
Tattooers Against Trafficking was created to help educate and spread awareness of what human trafficking entails,what you can do when you encounter it and resources to help to end trafficking in North America and around the world.
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Stopping trafficking is a collaborative effort between Law Enforcement, Social Workers and Community Groups & Non Profits. Independently, each component is limited in what they have to offer, but together can provide a well rounded support system to help the victims involved.
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Tattooers Against Trafficking promotes awareness and is aimed towards helping victims in need.
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Tattooers Against Trafficking offers tattoo cover up work as a donation specifically for victims of human trafficking. Any tattoos symbolizing the victims previous lifestyle, associations, affiliations or ownership qualify for covering. Each artist is independent and the requested work is up to each artists discretion.
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THE HARD TRUTH
250,000+
PEOPLE SOLD FOR SEX IN THE US EVERY YEAR
85%
HAVE A HISTORY OF SEXUAL ABUSE
33%
OF TEENS ON THE STREET WILL BE CONTACTED AND/OR PROPOSITIONED ABOUT PROSTITUTION WITHIN 48 HOURS OF LEAVING HOME
TATTOOISTS ARE ON THE FRONT LINE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING
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"We get to form a relationship with the people that we tattoo. So even during that brief period, we can talk to them a bit and at least kind of get a gauge of, you know, whether their world is OK or not."
Jesse Neese has been tattooing in Omaha for more than 20 years and says he's seen those red flags himself.
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"While some traffickers won't seek out professional artists for these branding tattoos, victims might come in to get a cover-up or a tattoo of something else. Detective Chad Miller investigates human trafficking in Nebraska for the FBI. He says tattoo shops are often a valuable resource in his investigations."
Becca Costello
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"If you think that something's going on, if you've got security cameras in your parlor, keep all the footage for me of the people involved. If you can discreetly get license plate numbers without putting yourself at risk, get me license plate numbers, descriptions."
Chad Miller