Anyone hoping to work as a tattoo artist in the state of Tennessee would have to complete human trafficking awareness training, according to a new bill introduced in the House of Representatives.
House Bill 182, also referred to as the Ink of Hope Act, was introduced Monday by State Representative Mary Littleton (R-Dickson).
This law aims to give tattoo artists the information and resources they need to spot and report human trafficking, a problem that has drawn more attention recently because of the terrible effects it has on people, especially women and children.
In 2022, 40 U.S. anti-trafficking organizations conducted a poll in which 47% of survivors said their trafficker had tattooed or branded them.
The troubling tendency of traffickers identifying their victims in ways that can facilitate their identification and control is highlighted by this distressing statistic.
Therefore, Representative Littleton thinks that tattoo artists, who frequently interact directly with the public, can be extremely helpful in identifying victims and preventing human trafficking before it gets out of hand.
The proposed bill would mandate that tattoo artists and shop owners undergo up to an hour of training on identifying the warning signs of human trafficking and reporting it to law enforcement. A brief film created by a recognized nonprofit would be used to deliver this instruction, guaranteeing that the content is accurate and succinct.
Tattoo artists would learn from the film how to spot possible victims, including behavioral, psychological, and physical clues that could point to human trafficking.
How to properly notify the proper authorities—such as local law enforcement or anti-trafficking hotlines—of suspected human trafficking would also be included in the training.
Another significant clause in the measure would shield tattoo artists from legal repercussions if they choose to report suspected human trafficking.
If a tattoo artist reports a trafficking occurrence in good faith, the state would not hold them responsible for their activities, which could enable more professionals come forward without worrying about facing legal consequences.
According to experts, the 1,310 human trafficking cases that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported between 2019 and 2023 are probably far fewer than the true number of victims.
According to a nationwide research, official trafficking figures might only account for 14% of all victims, meaning that many incidents are either underreported or go unreported.
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By adding another level of awareness and monitoring and utilizing tattoo artists’ eyes and ears, who might be able to spot trafficking indicators that others would overlook, this measure seeks to close that gap.
Tennessee would be the first state to explicitly mandate tattoo artists receive training on human trafficking awareness if House Bill 182 is approved.
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Although the bill is still in its infancy, if it becomes popular, it might serve as a template for other states that want to combat human trafficking head-on.
Tennessee would be enabling professionals to contribute to the solution of a growing issue that affects thousands of individuals nationwide by providing tattoo artists with the information they need to identify and report suspected human trafficking.
