01/27/2026
Tattoos can tell a story — but not always the story people expect.
This image breaks down the who, what, when, where, why, and how behind tattoos that may be connected to exploitation or trafficking. The most important thing to understand is this:
There is no single tattoo that automatically means trafficking.
Context matters.
The story behind the tattoo matters.
For some survivors, tattoos were used as a form of control, ownership, manipulation, or psychological branding. For others, tattoos may later represent survival, resilience, or reclaiming identity.
The danger comes when tattoos are judged without understanding — when assumptions replace education.
Awareness isn’t about labeling people.
It’s about understanding patterns, asking better questions, and responding with care and safety.
Tattoos don’t speak for themselves.
People do — when they’re given the space to be heard.