Welsh tattoo studio welcomes safer industry with mandatory DBS checks
Thousands of English artists are calling for the UK government to follow Wales' lead in introducing mandatory background checks
Tattoo artists in Cardiff are sharing their perspectives on the enforcement of mandatory DBS checks for licensing in the industry.
In England, over 10,000 people have signed a petition to enforce these background checks, a law already in place in Wales.
Campaigners suggest it could help prevent individuals with violent criminal histories from practising.
It follows reports of an "epidemic" of misogyny and sexual misconduct in the tattoo industry.
Mackenzie, the owner of Hidden Gem Tattoo Studio in Cardiff, expressed her support for the checks.
"As I’m sure you can imagine tattooing is quite an intimate and invasive experience," Mackenzie said.
"You want to know who’s doing the work on you," she added.
"I started out with an apprenticeship and I had to witness quite a bit of that first-hand and realised very swiftly that I wanted to create somewhere that was a little bit more gentle and welcoming," Mackenzie said.
"If you’re going somewhere you don’t feel yourself even when you’re walking first through the door, how are you going to feel safe with a person that maybe seeing you in quite an exposed way?"
She shared her experiences of witnessing behaviour that was "bordering on abuse – verbal abuse from mentors, yelling things, throwing things, shouting.”
"I think it’s absolutely vital that we maintain safety and regulate the industry a bit more," Mackenzie affirmed.
"There’s quite a new wave of younger audiences coming in for tattoos, and I think people are wanting to see quite a shift in tattooing from the traditional tattoo studios that might be a little bit more intimidating,
"I think it’s going to help cultivate a safe space that we’re all trying for, especially this new wave of tattooists, maybe younger, more progressive and more open-minded," Mackenzie noted.
"So I think yes, let’s go ahead with regulation. Absolutely, let’s try and make a safer industry for artists as well as people that want to get tattooed," she concluded.
Emma, a colleague at Hidden Gem Tattoo Studio, echoed similar sentiments.
"You have to make sure that where you’re going to a reliable person," Emma said.
"Having these checks in place is definitely a step in the right direction."
A government spokesperson said:
"Nobody should face misogyny or sexual abuse – and perpetrators should be punished.
"Registration and licensing schemes for tattooing are the responsibility of local governments, and we expect them to ensure businesses follow the law."