Tattoo Etiquette: Predatory Tattoo Artists

[@CarleyGoshaw28]

“He continued tattooing me while I was unconscious” oh, so we’ve got physical assaults as well as sexual assaults… wild. This is EXACTLY why safe space tattoo studios are becoming more common these days

[@evenruderanger7617]

STOP

[@tylociraptor8131]

Man it's hearing stories like this makes me understand why my wife prefers to see female tattoo artists.

[@toxiczombiewolf5692]

I want to get a chest peice and I'm definitely seeing a female artist for that.

[@maximumeffort78]

I’m just at the beginning, but coming from a survivor of an extremely violent rape, I THANK YOU for not watering down your language. The words matter, they have impact, and we need to use them for their intrinsic value. Things “SA…DV…CP…self deleted… schmurder” and editing our language with *!v and the like? It takes the atrocity of these crimes away. Say it with your chest out and your eyes open. These are dark, painful things; they should taste vile across your tongue when you speak and burn your fingers when you type. I was beaten and raped at gun point when I was a 13 year old child. I had horrible injuries to recover from and some I will never truly recover from and I had to do it in a home with abusive and addicted parents. No flowery words and bullshit can sanitize that brutality, nor should it. We want stronger legislation, punitive action [both civil and criminal] and protections for our children, our youth, our peers, and our seniors, all genders and all sexes. It doesn’t start with being inoffensive that’s for damn sure! How else can we start to heal this part of society and _TEACH_ a culture that blatantly, honestly shuns this behavior without a starting point? Because it isn’t shunned: you’re sheltered if you think it is. Anyways, the way forward is recognizing where you stand. Much love to fellow survivors. Stay amazing, stay strong, remember your value, always be kind to yourself. ✨💕✨

[@treacletatts]

Oh my love I’m so sorry. Big hugs!! 🩷

[@AshChiCupcak]

I have as a child close to that age and I have done so much to protect her from having to live the life I did. If something like this happened to her, I'd be in jail. I refuse to tolerate this kind of treatment anymore. My entire childhood i was preyed on so much, I thought it was normal. And I ended up with a guy that would keep me drugged up so he could do what he wanted with me and my family would continue to deal with him even after I told him what he did. The amount of people who just don't care is sickening. I won't let people invalidate these experiences and I will raise my voice and make it known when someone says otherwise. We shouldn't be made to feel ashamed when we did no wrong. I hope you have had some healing in your life from that awful experience, but I know this is something we usually carry with us for the rest of our lives. I hope your life is much better from here on our ❤️

[@ddbob1]

I am sorry for what happened to you. You are correct, people sugar coat those types of things and they should be called out for what it is. However when people use that language, it's not necessarily to be inoffensive. It's so the post/video can stay up, and not be deleted or age restricted. Some platforms will automatically flag stuff with certain words in it and people just want their content to reach as many people as possible. KZbin is one of them, although they pick and choose what's ok and what's not and it can be inconsistent.

[@milkteamachine]

Getting a tattoo is kind of an intimate experience, idk how I’d cope with being predated on by someone and then having a permanent physical reminder of the incident on my body. Absolutely awful.

[@Xochiyotl]

I know exactly what you mean. When getting a tattoo, you're vulnerable. You have to trust the artist with taking care of your body: proper cleaning, equipment, good art etc. Being prayed on while getting a tattoo is so heavy, it's basically betrayal. I can't imagine

[@maylagesse]

37:20 not even mentioning that they are permanently marked with a tattoo from their abuser. That just breaks my heart double time that they have to look at that ink every day 💔

[@sophielouise4025]

Yeah, it’s really difficult, sometimes you want to crawl out of your skin and you have to constantly lie or sidestep the truth every time someone asks ‘who did your tattoo/s?’ Or if someone compliments the tattoo/s, it makes you cringe inside cause you know who did it/them

[@FlintGirl810]

I turned somebody in in the 80s in Detroit for using used needles on people of color, he bragged about it to me not knowing I'm mixed because I'm light-skinned. ( I just went into the shop to look at piercing jewelry ) I'm glad to see people are still speaking out. Also I wear a mask sometimes still when I'm in large crowds and had somebody in a Trump shirt cuss me out in a grocery store for ME wearing a mask so when I said you're not going to cuss and scream at me and walk away let's have a conversation the security guard luckily heard it said no ma'am he's got nothing more to say to you and escorted the man out! IT TAKES A VILLAGE! ❤

[@geminiz23]

He’s a sadist and a psychopath. This is the kind of person Netflix makes documentaries about.

[@mialeniemer6139]

When I was 19 I got a huge backpiece. The studio was one big room with 5 male artist and had a large window at the front and also the counter, where everyone comes in was there too. Because it was a backpiece I had to undress my upper body completely. They gave me nothing to cover up and there were no screens or something like this, to protect me from the eyes of any person who stepped into the studio or just watched through the window. During tattooing I was positioned not laying on my belly, but sat leaning forward on a chair with a cushion at the height of my collarbone, so that my boobs hung down freely. They didn`t even gave me anything to cover up for breaks or if I had to go to the toilet. Even with the other clients I was the only woman. So there were 10 men, all about 30 years old and I was a half-naked 19 year old, sitting there free to watch for 9 hours. It made me feel so uncomfortable, but everyone behaved like it is absolutely normal and I didn't want to be the prudish sensitive one who problematizes something that is apparently so normal. So I didn`t say anything. Took me 6 years until I realized that this wasn`t normal and it`s not common in the tattoo industries and that there is something like nipple covers.

[@treacletatts]

Oh my love I’m so so so sorry. That indeed isn’t ok, they should have provided you with something to cover, even if it is paper towel taped to you or a black plastic bag - literally anything can be made into pasties. 💔😞

[@mialeniemer6139]

@@treacletatts Thank you 🌻 It wasn't by far as bad as the cases in your video. I just wanted to share it, cause I hear similiar stories a lot and I think it`s important (espacially for ppl who aren`t familiar with tattoo practice and get maybe their first one) that this kind of stuff is not normal and they can speak up about it. Btw. I am from germany and the case you covered in the second half was / is very huge here. There are a lot of artists offering free cover ups for ppl who got a tattoo from that person. As awful as it is to know that things like that happen. As good it`s to see that there are also a lot of good ppl in the tattoo industrie coming together to help. Kein safe space means no safe space ;-)

[@13realmusic]

1:57 I wanted to let you know child abuse advocates have stopped using the term “child p*rnography” since the p*rn industry involves paid consensual labor and the new approved term is “child sexual abuse material” or CSAM. I know you’re always using inclusive language so I assume you haven’t heard of the new terminology yet 🙏🏾

[@treacletatts]

I wasn’t aware of this no, but thank you for letting me know I’ll make sure to say this in the future.

[@something-about-sunflowers]

@@treacletatts Genuinely, thank you _so_ much for the way you speak so respectfully about these kinds of heavy topics and using the proper terms when you're aware of them. It's infuriating when people use those 'cutesy' infantilizing self-censoring terms like 'grape' and 'pdf file'. It makes it seem like the person speaking doesn't understand or _care_ about the severity of these topics and the reality of the victims.

[@rumpeltyltskyn]

@@something-about-sunflowersI know it makes it seem that way, but people only use those terms so their videos don’t get blocked or taken down my the algorithm. It’s a way to get around censorship and still talk about the issues.

[@something-about-sunflowers]

@@rumpeltyltskyn Respectfully, most people may think this is true, but it's not. They use terms like this to avoid _demonetization_ . I'm of the opinion that, if you make your living talking about these kinds of topics, you owe it to the people who you're profiting off of to speak about the things that happened to them with respect. The phenomena of _any_ kind of censorship requirement is wildly over-reported in comparison to the reality of it. People _hear_ that they'll get xyz response if they don't self-censor so they preemptively overcompensate. Was this video taken down? Did you have it hidden from your notifications? Did you find it on your homepage/recommended? How about those last couple of videos where she's talking about that ink brand that uses the _same_ self-censoring term (in a tongue-in-cheek 'we're all in on the joke' way) in it's branding but she uses the correct term to talk about the thing it's referencing? And regardless, there are _plenty_ of other terms that are more 'family/algorithm friendly' that people could use that don't infantilize their audience or make light of these topics. 'SA', not 'grape', 'child predator', not 'pfd file'. _Or_ just blank out the audio or bleep the word.

[@Shirumoon]

@@rumpeltyltskyn This! Barely anyone struggles with calling things by their name but content creators have to cater to the algorithm and content rules in order to be able to generate income. I've even read that videos with a comment section full of these terms could harm the channel and that's why I also use grape etc. sometimes. Irl you'd never catch me say that.

[@margokeller9199]

I’m glad people like you and these accounts exist. You make the tattoo world feel so much safer.

[@treacletatts]

🫶🏻

[@AccidentallyOnPurpose]

Thank you for acknowledging that the pandemic is not over and people are still dying from it, as a chronically ill person that means a lot. I get shit in public for even wearing a mask now.

[@treacletatts]

Whaaat?! Why can’t people mind their business, you wearing a mask doesn’t effect other people by any means 😫😭

[@kavi212]

I’m immune compromised and recently became ill again well after spending almost two weeks in the house. Finally had to go to the store. Everyone stares at me for wearing my mask. It’s sad.

[@horribledevilgirl]

I have chronically ill family members, and also work with kiddos, so I always wear a mask when I’m going to high traffic areas not only to keep myself safe from tracking home a bug but also to keep the public safe from any whacko bug I might be carrying from my snotty nosed littles (😭) and I get straight up dirrttyyy looks from people all the time. Meanwhile I pass at least 3 people open mouth sneezing and coughing all over the grocery store each time I’m out 😒 I’d hate to pass along anything, even just a cold if I can avoid it, I don’t know why people are still so put off by safe public health practices :/

[@milkteamachine]

I feel like wearing a mask should be expected at the very least when you feel unwell just to limit the potential spread of illness. I’ve talked to people who later just casually slipped in that they’re super sick and I’m like….ok? Even if it’s not COVID, I don’t want to get sick?

[@treacletatts]

@@kavi212 I’m so sorry my love 😞

[@vintagecameragirl]

I've been asked before why I prioritise going to a female artist in a female run establishment. This, all day this.

[@treacletatts]

Fully understand!!

[@vintagecameragirl]

@treacletatts my second tattoo was on my hip, and the artist kept asking if I wasn't going to be more comfortable just taking my top off. At first I laughed but the second and third time I didn't. Two female artists were also working in the studio that day, both just rolled their eyes at him. It's not all men, but it's always men, and there's always someone just letting it slide.

[@nancywillaert5129]

Im happy to have a tattoo artist she’s a very nice woman, and she works in a tattoo studio that has a man and a second Man in it although not every day it think or there was a Change of plan. But when a man came in she was busy in her place on an other woman, and he wanted to go to her, he said hey over here what do you need? And he came to close so he said stop there i have a client here so no close by. That dude was drunk and wanted tobacco, he said this is a tattoo studio not a shop you need. He stil wanted to go to her; so the owner guided this man out he wanted to come near me i was waiting my turn, but he didn’t had a chance. Later she said he always has her back and if a client or someone try’s he’s there for her. He doesn’t mind to kick one out even unfinished if the client is rude or sexually harassing you get a warning but who wont listen stands at the other side of the door. I feel safe there i did with her a underboob tattoo so, he was even respectful to block me if checking out a client. I had a bikini on but still he blocked vieuw.

[@laurengamble1817]

Yeah the only artists I've gone to are woman

[@s-ourdough]

All I can think of with holding tattoo clients down is every frickin Inkmaster where the JUDGES tell them to hold clients down and the artists themselves whining about clients needing a breather and giving them guff for being in intense physical pain. And that contributed to regular people thinking "maybe that's just... normal?" Disgusting.

[@KiboSanti]

I've half-joked that if I were to ever get a back tattoo, I'd need a whole team of football players to hold me down... The joke there is that I'm well aware that I'm sensitive and twitchy, and I don't have any plans for a back tattoo (for that exact reason.)

[@jessicapenner990]

This is the reason I qui my aprentiship in 2006. The owner was disgusting, hitting on 16 year olds and gave me the "sleep with me or leave" ultimatum. It was rooooough

[@treacletatts]

Nooooooooo!!!!!!! Oh my god!! Nasty man!! 😫

[@jessicapenner990]

@@treacletatts So nasty, lol. I still managed to get my license and work in a private studio, but that became just as unsafe. My partner and I are planning a cross country move from the middle of Canada to the East Coast where my family is, so I am now rebuilding a portfolio and hoping to get a chair to help fund that in the new year, luckily the tattoo culture has changed sooooo much especially here in Canada. Shops feel very warm and welcoming now compared to then lol

[@geminiz23]

I’d rather get tattooed by a bear

[@corpselikecreature]

Thank you for talking about Jerome, I have several friends who were victimised by him

[@treacletatts]

Oh goodness, that’s so so sad. It seems he is prolific and won’t ever stop 😫

[@jxmesv-5323]

Much love and strength to them 🫂❤️

[@carrionkitty6806]

5:26 if anyone can list out the best accounts for calling out homophobia/transphobia please let me know!! I am cis but dating a MTF woman. I am selective about who I am open about having a girlfriend to, but if we ever went to get matching tattoos we would be a little shit out of luck! The stuff we would get cant be passed off as best friend stuff. Super deep and meaningful stuff and if we told the story for it it would be so obvious. For example, we want to get a tattoo for a kitten we nursed together because shes the closest we will get to having a baby together. Not too subtle imo. Edit: figured I woukd tag this on before anyone asks, the kitten is doing great! She just had her first birthday last month. Her name is Amaranth and she is so sweet but at the same time the only one of our 12 cats that scares us lol

[@roxassora2706]

Commenting to stay updated.

[@yogadork_namaste]

Amaranth is so beautiful. My husband and I had amaranthine by Amaranth played at our wedding. Best of luck to you and your girlfriend! I totally understand not wanting to share with just anyone because you never know how people will react. My 10 year old is not binary, and I barely mention it to anybody but their teachers, so they will use their pronouns, which are very important to them. My mom, husband and a few coworkers know. But I'm afraid I will get grooming accusations when all I did was teach them what pride month is about and the spectrum of people who fall under it. They're the one who told me they were uncomfortable being referred to as a girl.

[@chickenchicken123]

Go for it. I got the words "Good Girl" tatted on the back of my thighs 😅 The artist I went to was super chill, we had a good laugh, and he was a guy.

[@arisunohana]

SA is a trigger for me, so I do feel for those who revealed their experiences, it really takes a lot of courage, extremely thankful for them and really hope they heal themselves from it! 😭

[@arisunohana]

these really do keep me reminded of why I feel safer with females and those in the LGBTQIA+ cus Idk, compassion, empathy, RESPECT?

[@laurawhitehurst5961]

I struggle so much with whether or not to name and shame my tattooist/abuser. I am in the process of having his work cover because it just reminds me of the abuse and the fact that even after I had told so-called friends they still continued to go to him. He still tattoos and is very much part of the 'old boys club' and it makes me sick. I know he has done it to other women but what can we do without ending up getting backlash ourselves? love to the anyone who has survived these experiences.x

[@treacletatts]

I’m so so sorry my love. This can’t be easy on you at all. You only do what feels right to you, I know going up against men in the tattoo industry is incredible hard especially as like you said the majority are protected by the boys club. Sadly there are always doubters, even with high profile cases ( pdiddy, rkelly etc, they all still have fans 😭) it’s sickening !!!

[@roxassora2706]

I'd name drop him to alert others

[@laurawhitehurst5961]

@treacletatts Thank you honey 💜

[@desertatable]

Hi, yet another one here, but via a relationship rather than local tatt shop. My heart goes out to anyone who has been through this. I have a tattoo that runs the inside of my left arm- it's BIG and black. I have butter skin, so of course the massive blowout and how deep/ sporadically he placed the ink means I have a permanant blue/black haze all over my forearm. My 'partner' (talented, though jail taught so bad techniques) at the time was abusive in many ways mentally and physically, he forced me to get what he wanted when he wanted it. Fortunately he self exited a few years ago, but I still have a couple of small, hideable horrors and the forearm...people ask me why my tattoo looks like that, why my skin where tattooed blows up with allergies... I would black it out if I could, it's too big to laser. I feel marked for life- I have other tattoos that I love, but that arm one....man...I hate it because it reminds me of the biggest error of judgement I ever made, being with him, allowing him into my life. I'm celibate by choice these days, I'm still scared off from what I went through and what he put my family through. That tattoo is a reminder to me to choose carefully. Thanks for the warning about Jerome Chapman. I'm in Aus (other end than q'land) and I appreciate knowing who is abusive and where they are located.

[@darkermatter125.35]

When a person's job inherently causes pain, it can be hard to tell when they are doing it maliciously, especially if you are new to it. I had a dentist who was 100% a sadist and got off on causing me pain. I have a lot of dental issues, and I've even had teeth knocked out (which had to be put in without anesthesia, which put me into shock), so I am no stranger to dental procedures. I had had this one in particular before. He purposely did it in a more painful way, and I could see him getting enjoyment out of my pain. The more I hurt, the happier he was. He also knew I had PTSD from SA, which was discussed with the dental assistants and with him. I always do this before anyone touches me. He deliberately used that knowledge to trigger my PTSD, pinned me down and wouldn't let me have a break when I was having an anxiety attack, and all of that was FUN for him. The dental assistants saw me after, and ran in to help me and try to calm me down. They were lovely. If I had to put money on it, I would bet A LOT that he has committed at least one crime concerning consent. Unfortunately, when it comes to things like a dentist, a tattoo artist, or even a pt where the exercises are going to cause you pain to help you heal, ect., people think you are exaggerating when you call them out for what they are. When I almost ended up homeless, I was a professional domme (legally) for a while. It was never because I was a sadist, but I could fulfill that fantasy. I mention this because doing that job made me EXTREMELY perceptive to those kinds of things. So even through all the pain, it was like a huge neon sign was flashing above his head. People in these positions rely on the fact that you will try to be a good client or patient. If you complain, and they are a man or in a position of authority, and you are femme presenting or a minority, they will use fear if they have that dynamic. They will threaten not treating you or giving you a bad result deliberately. If you EVER feel like someone has tried to take away your autonomy or your power, speak to someone. It doesn't have to be a therapist or a parent if those aren't options, but speak to someone. Even if it is a supportive group online or the bartender at your regular bar. Hotlines exist as well, you don't have to be at the very end of your rope to call. I know it isn't always easy to get out of those situations, but give yourself permission to keep yourself safe. Imagine what advice you would give to someone you truly care for, and do that thing for yourself ❤

[@Shirumoon]

Not the dentist 😭😭 omg I hope you're somehow to be able to recover from being not re traumatized and traumatized again. I guess I was too naive to expect this much evil from "professionals" but here we are. I have run into a sexually harrassing photographer myself (thankfully never ended up doing the photoshoot), a very violent PT who probably wasn't a sadist but had no idea about how much force to use. My boyfriend had actually a pro domme go over his negotiated boundaries and he was assaulted by a mentally ill co worker in a mandatory shared flat. At this point, I wish it was the norm to never go to appointments alone, especially as a woman or otherwise vulnerable person since we often tend to ignore our gut feelings or there isn't even a way to act on them until it's already too late.

[@Farfarellos]

100% agree. There’s absolutely a point of no return for second chances. And no one is required to give anyone a second chance until they’ve demonstrated they’ve changed enough to rebuild some trust

[@kavi212]

So happy you’re covering this!! Things like this need to spoken about again and again until the behavior stops ❤

[@SheilABeer-x8q]

Boycott these artists and studios if there is evidence of unlawful behaviour then they should be exposed for what they are. Dont let these artists get away with this shitty behaviour ❤

[@emilybastong3896]

I'm from Germany and I know of the IG page, but I haven't had the heart to go through it yet, so I haven't heard of the artist yet... I will definitely check it out now. Thank you so much for raising awareness for this. It's hard to talk about but so, so necessary. Thank you

[@sophielouise4025]

I’m a woman tattoo artist who has been in the industry for about four years, in this time I’ve encountered so so many disgusting predatory men. When I was an apprentice I was bullied and treated terribly and have had sexual ‘jokes’ made towards me by men old enough to be my father. I had to do my apprenticeship in multiple studios due to this and when I finally found a studio run by a woman, one of the male artists attempted to SA me when no one else was around. I then went on to have a relationship with a male tattoo artist in my country and besides being an emotionally abusive, chronic lier and drug addict, he also r**ed me multiple times, including when I was asleep (he would also grab me by my hair to force me to do sexual acts against my will and would pull my trousers and underwear down in front of other people and expose me and not let me get away from him) He forced me/pressured me to get many tattoos (mostly very visible ones) and has done the same to other women. He’s still tattooing and going to conventions and getting awards and being praised and I’ve been dealing with ptsd to the point that it’s made me very physically unwell and I’ve had to take multiple breaks from tattooing even though I love it. I love tattooing and tattoos but being a woman and working in this industry has killed a part of me inside

[@char4177]

There was a thing that blew up on Facebook near my hometown recently and there were HUNDREDS of comments from women who had been harassed/assaulted by this one tattoo artist or had received unsafe tattoo work (unhygienic, done at his house, done while the client was underage). He was just generally shady

[@ilovenipplerings470]

So glad you brought up Jerome Chapman! He’s tried to follow so many people I know including myself under different names and such. He doesn’t quit.

[@treacletatts]

?!?!?! The hell!! He’s relentless 😫

[@Никодим-м9ъ]

This is one of my comfort channels 💘

[@marnie9063]

So glad you're covering this! This is why I will only go to women owned and run tattoo spaces! My current artist is female and I don't think I could go to a man, having dealt with SA and DA in the past. My tattoos are so covering self harm scars which I personally feel is even more intimate and the areas get more sensitive as well. I feel so sorry for the suffering these people have gone through. I hope they are able to find healing. It hurts my heart that they have permanent marks from their abusers on their skin. I hope they can find better studios to work with them and give them adfordable laser kr cover ups.

[@jeddybear5909]

Because of people like this, i will never go to a studio alone (even when I do extensive research), you never know what is a front.

[@KiboSanti]

I will ALWAYS bring a buddy. Never a group, just a buddy, but one who can stand up for both of us if needed.

[@tanwin01]

The artist who did my first tattoo, way back in the 90's, would offer young, pretty women free tattoos for sexual favors and it was WIDELY known that he was a skeevy lech. But he worked near a Navy base, and he was one of only TWO tattoo shops within an hour of my area, so he still had clients. In my defense, when I met him, it was through my male friend, he didn't do any of that stuff with me, and I was a stupid 19 year old who really wanted a tattoo🙄

[@mxclaireharris]

Hi Lauren, talking about covid, you reminded me of my own experience. We went in September '21, so things were getting back to normal. I'm a glitter tattoo artist (temporary tattoos) and during an event my partner had been a model for me with an ink and glitter tattoo. They liked it so much that they asked me to keep refreshing it once a week until we got to get it done for real (yes we, somehow I got added to this lol). We went to the local shop and one of the artists was in the front and she loved it, was really excited to do it. I offered my own stencils for her to use and she loved that idea. Basically it's the polyamory symbol (infinity and heart), I had done the heart in black ink and the infinity in rainbow to represent neurodivergance. Roll to the day. Firstly we were told we didn't need to be masked in there. We assumed they were saying they're all jabbed, clean and careful. Then we find out that she's running late so another artist would do it. We were a little hmm about it but it was a simple design so we thought it was safe. He wouldn't come out to talk to us and made it clear he wasn't happy about doing it. He was sending someone out to ask questions, did we want stripes or spectrum - spectrum obviously, this is ND not LGBT (although we are). I don't think he was happy I had stencils. He wasn't happy it was small or that we'd been given a discount for doing them together. My partner goes first. They say they want it on their right arm. He puts it on the edge so it changes shape when they move and only looks right with their arm bent. There was lots of gaps in it, he did stripes and one of the changes was on a scar so really emphasised it. He cut a lot of corners too. Then I went. I had wanted to discuss it, I wasn't sure the best place to get it, I'm a wheelchair user so wanted to make sure it wouldn't get hurt in my chair, I also wanted to talk about how to do the infinity because I wanted it to represent it's origins a little. I tried and he snapped at me "you've got to have this forever so you better be sure you want it" yeah, of course, but I didn't say I wasn't sure, I wanted to talk about what it looked like. Mine was not quite as bad but not far off it, it's got an outline on the infinity which I didn't want, it's quite high on my bicep and at the front so I always look like I'm twisting my arm forward. Somehow he gets onto a rant about how covid is fake. My dad's in covid ICU at the moment. Then he talks about how ill he was when he had it. My dad's in the covid ICU at the moment. He was convinced he would have brain damage because the pain in his head was so bad. My dad is in the covid ICU at the moment. He didn't get the injection because it's all a con. Remember how we didn't need masks in here? We've both had them fixed by another shop. Mine wasn't too bad, fixing the cut corners, blending colours and making it look a little more like glitter but it still has an outline and he had to thicken it in places to fix the awful corners. My partner's was so bad they had to make it look deliberate by turning it into a sketch. Can't fix the distortion of course.

[@Jack.mandora]

Thanks for talking about this topic so people can be aware. The industry definitely needs more regulation. I've been so lucky I have not has a bad tattoo experience, my heart goes out to the people behind these stories.

[@keybladewizard49]

The thing about bragging about hurting your clients - my mom worked at a grocery store kitchen one time and some tattoo artists came up and she overheard them bragging abut how they could make grown men cry, people who came in claiming to be "so tough" and they were bragging and laughing about how the tattoo process turned them into babies. My mom thought that was normal for tattoos since then - that they hurt so much and that people who had lots of them were just 'used to it' and that's why she never wanted one or wanted me to get one. Now that I've watched your channel I know that that's not true; that tattoos do hurt, yes, but decent artists don't brag about how much, and soomeone crying or sobbing isn't something a decent tattooist laughs about, no matter how much they think it's "taking them down a peg".

[@ulrikesextro4187]

36:08 here I was left speechless but one thing: as it seens he did this more often to his clients, getting tested for STD*s would be advised.

[@danilarsson8685]

To anyone who thinks people deserve a second chance: I think we should treat the tattoo industry like a "vulnerable persons" situation. When someone has been found guilty of a violent/sxual crime, they are typically not allowed to get jobs where they are working with vulnerable persons (children, the elderly, etc.). Given the level of trust we give to tattoo artists, I think it would be fair to say "if you've done the crime, time to find a new line of work."

[@treacletatts]

Agree!!!!

[@chloeochnio2843]

I was tattooed by Jerome before COVID and before I knew he was dodgy af. I got my inner bicep tattooed and it was the most painful tattoo I've ever gotten. Worse than getting my knee done. It felt like a hot knife ripping through my skin. It's so scarred and blown out. Never again.

[@treacletatts]

As someone who has had their inner biceps tattooed and knees … you’ve said all I needed to hear to know that Jerome hurt you on purpose 😫😭 I’m so sorry 🩷

[@AnaGolightly]

why does he do that?? is it like an non consensual pain kink he has or something tf is wrong with someone to do that.

[@chrissybishop575]

I spoke to my tattoo artist fairly recently about how to tell how deep they have to go in the skin, and he said there is something well known in the tattoo community called the "bog" and he was explaining it to me and how it feels/works it was fascinating and since then even as the client I can feel the difference so i have no idea how "professional" tattoos like Jerome can make the mistake that basically the WHOLE tattoo is raised or blown out

[@SebastianEverett-x2q]

My former artist asked me for "favors." This was back before I began transitioning. He was caught receiving a "favor" from another client a few months later. He's now working in a warehouse and is not in the industry anymore. He's a mockery in the industry in the area. However, there is still Steve Teft in the area who owns a studio 5 min from my house, and he hires seedy types, too.

[@roxywolfe]

I’ve unfortunately had an experience similar to this. The artist who started my two skull/neck pieces made sexual comments during the session, used my personal phone number to message me inappropriately, and hounded me to make my next appointment even after I’d ghosted him. He owns and works in a private studio so I shudder to think of what might’ve happened if his apprentice hadn’t been there the day of my session :(

[@eveweiss5543]

this was something i was so terrified of when i first started getting tattooed but i thought 'how often does it really happen', clearly far too often. I'm so incredibly lucky to have found the incredible artists that have done my work, i hope these people get the justice they deserve

[@CallMeAlisaLoveme]

Same, shout out to Fabio and his whole team at Bay Ink Tattoo for keeping this lady feeling safe and secure for 16+ hours. No mercy for predators.

[@charlottet9035]

the tattoo industry needs some sort of board to assess the moral character of artists before they’re accredited. in Aus even tradespeople (plumbers etc) have to assessed before graduating from their apprenticeship, so it’s ridiculous the tattoo industry is so unregulated

[@lilygee4732]

As someone who lives in Brisbane, thank you for this video!!

[@eevee_ivy]

Thank you so much for sharing those resources and awareness. It's so messed up that people have been hurt like that so severely. I agree with everything you said and if anyone's mad about it they can piss off.

[@SamiMichelle]

I watch you when I’m doing my nails and your intro says that you hope I’m comfy and cozy. Well I would like to say I am STRESSED and it is CHAOS here but I’m still enjoying myself and love listening to you 😂

[@x.brookebennett]

The Gothic Pinup vibe is STRONG

[@MS-wh7ec]

You talk about such difficult subjects with care and sensitivity, I’ve never really related to the idea of having a “comfort channel” - but you are the exception 😂 such a good egg❤

[@Caseycac]

Thank you for covering this important issue, experienced problematic behaviour during a recent tattoo and this helps to process it. Also, love your Sleep Token sweatshirt. My literal favorite band ever! Was lucky to see them last week

[@treacletatts]

Oh I’m so so sorry my love 💔 Oh aren’t they just the best!! I saw them over a week ago and then back in 2021!! They sure know how to put on a show 🥹🫶🏻

[@LadySayeh]

Once in my mid-twenties (turning 40) there was a girl I worked with at the sheriff's department I worked at who was trying to open her own tattoo business For my birthday that year she offered me a free tattoo, being young and naive and not paying any attention to sterile, clean or proper set ups I agreed It was in her house, which I look back at it and surprised I didn't get an infection She put it on my back, in-between my shoulder blades, so I was sitting almost half naked, she was extremely heavy handed and dug in so much I was screaming into a roll of paper towels. It turned out like shit of course, but I took a photo of it and I'm glad I did because not even a month later it completely disappeared, like you wouldn't even know I had a tattoo there except for one crescent moon scar from half the circle she had made Apparently she left her inks in her car and they froze so besides heavy handed the ink wasn't great She started hitting on me at work to the point it was uncomfortable and internal affairs reached out to me when one of them noticed something she said and she ended up quitting and left the state before she was charged with sexual harassment and was fired

[@horribledevilgirl]

Literally making mac n cheese and opened KZbin to find something to watch for when it’s done 😎 also the hairstyle in this is INSANE (admiringly) ♥️

[@treacletatts]

Oh I love me some max and cheese!! You have great taste 😋 And thank you!! 🥹🫶🏻

[@str4yk1dsw0rldd0minati0n]

I'm so glad you posted this video! I'm from Australia and had never heard of him, although I don't live anywhere near Brisbane (or would I get tattoo based off of what I've seen) I can't imagine if someone was in the same boat as me and never heard of him and was actually looking at getting one by him. Artist like these two were why I was so afraid of getting tattooed by a man when I was first looking at artists and when I did I literally bought my dad to be nearby just in case

[@niamhroe5801]

Eyes immediately jumped to the sleep token top, Thank you for the video, people like this really need to be named and shamed

[@broeypaige3985]

I’m so glad this channel exists. I live in Brisbane, Australia and have a designated tattoo artist who is nearby Ashgrove… I had no idea this guy existed, but I’m so grateful I know now 😅

[@LilithLovewolfe]

Thank you for sharing this information, and spreading awareness about these abusive men 🖤

[@Diluculi1]

Thank you so much for featuring keinsafespace and calling out this horrible man they mention!

[@cedgson91]

Going to come back to this later Headspace is not right atm due to migraine, but will give this my full attention when I'm feeling better cos this topic is super important Thank you for all you do ♥

[@treacletatts]

I fully understand 🩷 Hope you feel better soon my love. Get plenty of rest 🫶🏻

[@Ctaysyoutubechannel]

Love your taste in music Lauren. I too, am a metalhead.

[@avivmax-powerskelleher5071]

Thank you for the trigger warning I will watch this when I feel in a better head space

[@treacletatts]

Of course my love, super understandable, 🩷

[@charlottet9035]

How can you promote israel, a nation of war criminals, and then go on to talk about the importance of trigger warnings and positive head spaces? If you truly cared about the well-being of your fellow human beings you would reevaluate your profile picture and your moral stance

[@avivmax-powerskelleher5071]

@@treacletatts Thank you again and I have to say that would be a nightmare being tattooed by a monster like that

[@itskaybe6348]

These stories are horrible. Idk if I can continue but Lauren, Thank you for talking about this.

[@Bornofanidlemind]

This is painfully true about the SA stuff. I work with a girl whose artist touched her, intimidated hers asked inappropriate questions, and other women have reported it as well, but nothing happens to the guy, he’s still in practice, it’s just word of mouth keeping people away

[@treacletatts]

Oh that’s so sad, that’s for sure what happens a lot - I think a lot of artists who are guilty of this and have authorities contact them say stuff like “of course I touched her like that I’m a tattoo artist it’s part of my job” and try to play down the situation like that

[@kyleiarhodes7070]

My first tattoo was heavy handed at times and trust when getting that tattoo it hurt more. Also heavy handed tattoos need to usually be reworked or covered up. Gosh I wish tattoo artists weren’t heavy handed I think I would prefer for them to be on the lighter side if anything was to go wrong.

[@Nikkilou36]

Thank you for talking about this! It is so sad what these people have gone through. I'm so glad there are people out there talking about these people. The men you talked about are disgusting, and I hope they are stopped soon!!!!

[@justjo6365]

thank you for the warning, i've got a friend in queensland who was about to be tattooed by the scum and they've now cancelled their appointment and are looking at other places

[@thetattooeddocent]

Full case video please and thank you! ❤

[@KaizerSozeRaps]

I left a 1 star review on a shop I visited a few weeks ago....THE OWNER TOOK A SCREENSHOT OF IT AND SENT IT TO ME.....Super unprofessional.....and his work is terrible..... I'm never going to a new artist unless I know for a fact they don't suck 😅😅

[@SummerMurphy12]

Thank you for making this content, I know u tube doesn’t like this kinda stuff which is ridiculous because you’re content keeps others safe. So thank you.

[@UnsolicitedThoughtsOfARose]

Hey, I just wanted to say thank you for helping spread this information and being like a tattoo "big sis". I'm a young women and plan on getting my first tattoo soon and want to make sure I'm prepared.

[@lauraowens1787]

I will joining you on that hill Lauren! This is why I’ve specifically chosen to go to safe studios that are female lead with either all female artists or female presenting. I wouldn’t feel safe around men at all 😢

[@rileymarie1940]

I see this video, and look forward to watching it when I have the space. As always, thank you Lauren for bringing attention to this issue ❤

[@lilsneeze9741]

Lauren! thank you so much for using your voice in relation to jerome and you did the story i suggested absolute justice. Lets pray it gets out there that Jerome's new account and continued abuse becomes as well known as him 😅

[@gamtatts]

Oh my God where do I even begin with this. I tattoo in Panama - SO many tattooers came out from tattooing in the pandemic when we had restrictions. I myself stopped tattooing for 7 months due to quarantine, both my dad and I are immunocompromised so it was an easy (although heavy) decision for me. In Panama there are absolutely no regulations for becoming a tattoo artist and tattooing others. Get a cheap Amazon kit and boom! You’re a tattoo artist. This is how we get horrible line work, coloring and even people doing terrible things to clients that know no better. There are so, so many sad stories I’ve heard from my clients about SA, CSA, PA, just everything under the sun from some tattooers. My wish for my country is to take this profession seriously and regulate us. I really do wish that. Hopefully one day.

[@victoriaschultz1508]

Off-topic but I love this more pin-up style of hair and makeup on you it looks so gorgeous

[@katastrophicfailure99]

💯

[@laurengamble1817]

A well known studio was exposed by a bunch of artists, in addition to the owner making gross comments towards female clients and artists he also kept a shitload of guns in the studio which is terrifying. So horrifying

[@tye2077]

thank you for covering the good and bad always🖤

[@dlr_rosa254]

Thanks for bringing awareness of this. Love your shirt btw!

[@treacletatts]

Thank you!! 🫶🏻

[@danieltenebrion9413]

I've spent alot of time on the side, learning about psychology and mental health both to understand myself and to understand other people. But while I get that abusive people come from abusive backgrounds and generations of mental illness, I still feel that it is privilege that sex abusers are allowed to breathe, a privilege that they are not worthy of having. It takes alot of intentional planning to manipulate women into a basement to assault them, and my empathy for someone doesn't go that far.

[@Spatzenzunge]

Thank you for making me aware of those accounts! I'll def give them a follow. That's a PSA and a half right there. ❤

[@miles-lk7po]

i could not watch this video sadly love, but i really appreciate your channel!! thank you for sharing information like this

[@treacletatts]

I fully understand. Take care of you, that is what is more important 🩷

[@miles-lk7po]

@@treacletatts your channel helped me start taking care of myself :)

[@fluffiesbuns1580]

I can't tell you how happy I was to see the sleep token shirt, currently wearing my hoodie and it genuinely made me so giddy to see that someone I enjoy and love to watch has a common interest like this ❤

[@treacletatts]

🥳 I’m a biiiiig sleep token fan!!

[@ellis20022]

it wasnt until recently i got a tattoo studio in my area that isn't run but bigotted old men who refuse or butcher peoples skin if they aren't white because "you have to press harder for dark skin" or whatever bs. i always felt insanely unsafe even just looking at the social media pages and was so so relieved when we got a queer owned and run studio thats super accepting. was only sad because they weren't looking for apprentices since its just a 2 man show. maybe one day

[@treacletatts]

Ughhhh that’s some b.s right there!! (Uneducated men doing terrible techniques) So sorry you’ve had to face it but so glad you’ve found a much better place. Also wishing you all the luck and good vibes for finding an apprenticeship 🫶🏻

[@kosmik8647]

I have no tattoos but because of following you I think I know more about the tattoo industry than a regular person who has tattoos, thanks to you. :D These kind of videos are so importand and I guess it takes a lot of courage to talk about an industry dominated by white cis men, especially when you're a female. Never stop talking about these topics.

[@windraizou]

Listening to this is making me thankful I won't go to anyone except my housemate for tattoos (she's super clean and gentle and also had apprenticed years ago, so she's definitely one-up from these predators.)

[@PandaNFriends23]

Thank you for looking out for us. ❤

[@sorreljaclyn]

Very important topic, thanks. However, I can't find links to these warning pages, either on your Instagram or searching for them...

[@thepotato946]

One of the sad parts is that unless the women can afford laser removal or a good cover-up, they have to live knowing their assaulter's work is on them. I hope some of them find someone to remove or cover them up. It may help to cover their tattoo(s) with something powerful to remind them that they are survivors and warriors, not just victims.

[@tamsyngagne7001]

13:58 After all of the consideration and consulting with my artist before I got my upper arms tattooed, I'd be beyond angry to see someone out there sporting a cheap knockoff of something so meaningful to me. It's beyond an insult to other artists to steal their art. Ugh.

[@The_Leftysaurus]

hhhgggg... I mean great video of course, thank you so much for contributing to the awareness of these awful AWFUL people. Like I applaud you for doing so while also just shivering with disgust and rage for the fact that we find ourselves in a reality where it's necessary to talk about such things, because it still happens and none of these dudes even worry about their disgusting behaviour and complete lack of morals or even simple human decency. And I'm not saying a woman would never do this, but this is definitely why I'll always look for a female artist first.

[@skateralien1260]

When I become a tattoo artist I want to have a private studio where I can receive my clients safely and comfortably. I would do anything I could to make the experience as good as I can get it for them, I can't believe there are artist's doing this shit...

[@Pompompoes]

No fucking way. I got tattooed at Adeqvat (by one of the women, she was the sweetest) and I had no clue, didn’t even notice anything off. I feel so disgusted, to think I gave him a muffin I baked for the touch up appointment…

[@moryartsy]

Just finished up a sleep token tattoo ❤ and now I get to watch this. Thank you Lauren!!!

[@treacletatts]

Oh hell yeah 😍

[@Enriquez2222]

I’m thankful to my female tattoo artists, they are wonderful and talented women

[@Victoria.8.7]

Sometimes different bits of my ink rise and get itchy- ink from four different artists. I'm assuming it's an immune response for me

[@_bewitchedbyyaz]

The fact this video comes out just as an artist I used to work with at a shop I left was just fired for sa’ing a client. My jaw dropped when I was sent the TikTok of the girl talking about what happened to her. I’m so angry for what he did to that girl. Everyone I came across I would tell them to stay the hell away from that shop

[@treacletatts]

Holy moly 😫 glad the shop fired him and didn’t protect him that’s kinda refreshing to see.

[@crystalhearteddragon4197]

Are we naming and shaming? Jarome from Brisbane Aus.

[@treacletatts]

We Sure are!! What a Nasty man 😫

[@crystalhearteddragon4197]

So many of my friends have suffered at the hand of that absolute POS. seemingly no stopping him.

[@Pianorama-be6nb]

Thank you for the video! On heavy handed tattoos, is it normal for old tattoos to get blow out and for the lines to be raised and bumpy?

[@piaw_]

love your sleep token shirt and your love for the band ❤

[@lhproductions61]

This makes me so sad, knowing that so many people have horrible experiences getting tattooed. I was just in the shop the other day and the worst experience I had was some weirdo who hung around the shop too long after getting work done. I love pretty much everyone in the shop, we’re like family at this point. I’d fight if I saw anyone in there making a client uncomfortable-or Vice versa cause most of the artists are the shop I go to are women. When I worked in fast food and had to stand there smiling it was the worst so I’m sure when they have weirdo clients it’s not fun. I’m sure the fight flight fawn or freeze happens with some clients as well when they’ve got a weirdo artist. I know when I first was looking into tattoos I was petrified. I didn’t want to go to a shop that was all cis guys because yknow… Anyone in New York State if you need a good shop that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, and is welcoming to people of all different colors and creeds Craftsman Tattoo, I recommend everyone’s work except Scott he’s a bit sloppy. I have all American traditional tattoos but they do all different stuff there.

[@justchar_1242]

When I saw the quality of that work i audibly gasped

[@justchar_1242]

IM SORRY REFUSED A BREAK??? If it’s finishing a little bit fine but not at all?? Disgusting

[@tris2702]

Fellow German here :) "Kein Safe Space" Translates to "No Safe Space" just fyi :)

[@Silviaexcuchuflus]

Thanks for covering this 😘