Tattoo artist in Sudbury helps human trafficking victims heal
Martin Bourgeois says he sees it every day: someone wants to cover an old tattoo or hide a scar on their body with a new piece of art.
Bourgeois is the owner of his own tattoo business in Sudbury, Studio 613. Recently, Sudbury and Area Victim Services approached him about a project that would allow victims of human trafficking to receive a new piece of art.
Sudbury is known as a hub for human trafficking. Sudbury and Area Victim services to survivors of human trafficking, including covering branding marks left by traffickers.
Human traffickers often brand their victims with tattoos or carvings/marks to symbolize ownership. Common themes include bar codes, initials, crowns and roses, and currency. Trafficking victims commonly receive tattoos on the neck, the arm, or above the groin.
“The clients that have been coming out of this are carrying very heavy baggage, and for them to finally be able to let go, it's truly an honour to be able to help them," Bourgeois said.
"Watching them leave with their heads held high is a great feeling."
Nicole St. Jean, of Sudbury and Area Victim Services, said getting the new ink is a huge moment for survivors.
“It's such a cathartic experience, right, to have that removed and have something beautiful put on their bodies," St. Jean said.
"So it’s a really big step in moving forward and moving away from the life they’ve been forced to live."
She said they continue to see an increase each year in the number of clients they serve.
In 2019, there were 60; in 2020, there were 70; and, 2021 is on track for 80 clients. Those figures are likely underreported, St. Jean said, because they only see people referred to them by police and social service agencies.
“A lot of victims are being missed because they’re afraid of coming forward," she said. "They’re fearful to come forward or they don’t see themselves as a victim or simply that no one's going to help them.”
Recently, the group created the Greater Sudbury Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition, which will see 30 partner agencies looking at gaps and overlaps so services can be streamlined.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.