ARI ( Atlanta Redemption Ink)

Honored to speak this week on Violence Against Girls and Women & Human Trafficking in NY, alongside some amazing educators. Thank you to Darren Hayes, Dr. Sue Maxam and Molloy University Pace University and Francine Bono-Neri, PhD, RN, APRN, PNP, FAAN for inviting us to share our insight—how we started and the work we’re doing to help survivors reclaim their stories and heal from the marks of their past. Grateful for the space to keep these conversations going.

Tennessee: The past does not define the future. This was the final cover-up in a series we’ve been honored to provide for a survivor sister. It turned out so beautiful! A huge thank you to Dawn at Spectrum Tattoo for your dedication, trauma-informed care, and artistry that empowers survivors to step into their next chapter with confidence. Arionline.org #arionline #atlantaredemptionink

March 1st is #SelfHarmAwarenessDay Have you ever felt trapped in your own body, overwhelmed by pain, just wanting it to stop? For so many people, this is the reality of self-harm. It’s not about seeking attention, it’s about coping with deep emotional pain. When we ignore it or judge others for it, it only makes the pain harder to express and the shame grows. 1. About 17% of people will engage in self-harm at some point in their lives. 2. 13-23% of adolescents (ages 12-18) have been reported to self-harm. 3. Women are more likely to self-harm than men, with females making up around 60-70% of those who engage in self-harm. 4. Around 35% of those who self-harm are men, but they are less likely to seek help or talk about it. 5. Self-harm rates among LGBTQ+ youth are higher, with 48% of LGBTQ+ youth reporting self-harm behaviors. Healing is possible. Support makes a difference. Ask hard questions. Listen without judgment. Share resources. Resources: ? 1-800-273-TALK – 24-hour crisis hotline ? To Write Love On Her Arms – Support for self-injury, depression, and suicide ? 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline ? The Trevor Project- Support for LGBTQ youth ? ARI ( Atlanta Redemption Ink) self injury scar cover ups and revisions.

Want to know about trafficking “indicators” involving tattoos? Read below. I have never seen an actual barcode tattoo on a trafficking victim. What have I seen? Tattoos that are more personal to the trafficker or victim, or even their business or brand. Get to know the realities of indicators in the real world, not what Hollywood or the media tells you. Follow and support survivor led organizations like ARI ( Atlanta Redemption Ink) that know what they are talking about.

Not every survivor with a tattoo references money, “the game”, and rarely barcodes. Often, it’s a name. A symbol. A matching mark that ties them to their abuser. Some are obvious. Some hide in plain sight. Thank you to artist Joey @villaricaink for being such an amazing ally and dedicated artist on our team. #TattooCoverUp #survivor #ReclaimYourStory #tattoo Link in bio

Grateful for Jesse at Till Death Tattoo for providing a cover-up tattoo for a survivor today. These moments of restoration and reclaiming identity make all the difference. Arionline.org #ari #tattoo #coverup #restoration Thank you Brandon Stromberg for keeping our team equipped with the best tattoo shield Saniderm Medical ????

We have one more session to go! Shane from Agape Ink Tattoos said “Witnessing the absolute transformation- I’m blessed to be a part of. People need to know they don’t have to stay trapped in the scars of the past—in any way.” Your past doesn’t define you, neither should your scars. It’s reclaiming your story. You’re worth new beginnings. #scars #HealingInInk #sober #Tattoo #BreakTheStigma #HealingJourney #Recovery #reclaiming #coverup

Another beautiful scar cover up on an overcomer this week. Thank you Aubrey of Divine Rites ????

We were honored to be part of a powerful recovery story. Today, our team helped a courageous woman in her sobriety journey by covering scars from addiction, a step that symbolizes reclaiming her story and embracing her future. This transformation wouldn’t have been possible without Shane at Agape Ink. Not only did he create a stunning cover-up, but he also held space with trauma-informed care, even sharing some of his own struggles. Moments like these show how healing happens when artistry and empathy come together. Covering scars is more than skin deep…it’s a step toward freedom and healing. Consider supporting survivor-led initiatives like this at ARIonline.org. Together, we can create more stories of hope and transformation! #TraumaInformedCare #RecoveryJourney #Soberliving

Thank you to the Children's Advocacy Centers of Pennsylvania (PennCAC) for inviting us to speak to local advocates and law enforcement agencies. It was an honor to share how the tattoo industry ties into survivor advocacy, the history of our work, and case studies from the field. Trainings like this are so important, especially when they’re survivor-led. We’ve been doing this work for over 7 yrs and we continue to advocate for not only survivors but the tattoo industry. When you support and bring in lived experience- we bring real insight & can create lasting change. We hope more organizations will step up to support and prioritize survivor-led efforts—it truly makes a difference. Thank you for letting us be part of the conversation Kimberly Gunning-Marcantonio and Elizabeth Scaife for the connection.