Background. Sex trafficking survivors often are forced to get tattoos such as bar codes, a dollar sign, or the name of the trafficker – the person who is selling them for sex – as a sign of ownership and way to exert dominance and control over them. Tattoo artists may routinely encounter a sex trafficking survivor while she is being trafficked. As front-line professionals, they are in a unique position to detect, identify, and report of any abuse, including sex trafficking.

Aims: The aim of this community-based participatory research (CBPR) T4 translational project is to engage the tattoo artist community and hold a tattoo summit to: a) disseminate information on human trafficking and the tattoo industry; b) assess the feasibility of training/education of tattoo artists on human trafficking through mediated discussion.

Results: A tattoo summit was attended by 69 tattoo artists. Of the 54% who completed the evaluation survey, 64% were male, and 58% were aged 19-35 years. Most “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that their knowledge of human trafficking was enhanced (94%), and that their overall ability to respond to a possible human trafficking survivor in their work has been enhanced (92%). Participants provided feedback on training approaches of sex trafficking among tattoo artists.

Conclusion. Using CBPR is an effective way to partner with community-based organizations such as tattoo shops in public health. There is local interest in future training/education on the topic of sex trafficking in particular and interpersonal abuse in general in the tattoo community.