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
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.