Human traffickers are continuing to brand their victims with tattoos "as a control mechanism" that "identifies them as belonging to them", a charity has warned.

Stephen Hay, director of police and justice at the Medaille Trust, made the remarks as the charity teamed up with tattoo artists for a new "anti-branding" campaign to empower victims.

Tattooists Against Traffickers will help trafficking survivors to redesign the tattoos they were branded with.

Hay said: "(Tattooing) is a control mechanism that is put in place by perpetrators of modern slavery, to control their victims and identify them as belonging to them.

"These unwanted tattoos serve as a prominent reminders of the trauma victims have faced, which is why the campaign is helping clients to redesign their tattoos and reclaim their bodies."

https://news.sky.com/story/human-traffickers-branding-victims-with-tattoos-as-a-control-mechanism-charity-warns-12367362

(Pic related)

>A trafficking survivor has had her tattoo changed into an image of a butterfly thanks to the work of a charity.