Tattooing has been considered a sacred symbol, a means of self-expression, or a mark of belonging to a certain social group since time immemorial. However, a story that unfolded in the Netherlands and became public on April 23, 2026, demonstrates the dark, frightening side of using tattoo tools. This is not about art, but about a deliberate act of violence and an attempt to completely suppress human personality through the physical marking of the body. A resident of Amsterdam, known as Joke, became a victim of unprecedented cruelty from her partner, who turned her skin into a canvas to express his possessive instincts.
This shocking story surfaced thanks to the efforts of the Dutch foundation “Stichting Spijt van Tattoo” (Regret of Tattoo Foundation), which specializes in helping people who find themselves in difficult situations due to unsuccessful or forced body art. The foundation’s founder, Andy Han, said that Joke had been subjected to psychological and physical pressure for years. Her former partner, seeking to solidify his status as “owner,” bought a cheap tattoo machine online and applied about 250 tattoos of his name and initials to the woman’s body. These were not decorative inscriptions – they were brands applied with the intent to humiliate and control.
The Anatomy of Violence: Why Tattoos Became a Tool of Control
From a psychological perspective and expert analysis of tattoo culture, this case goes far beyond an ordinary domestic conflict. In the professional community, there is a strict code of ethics: no self-respecting artist will tattoo a person who is in an altered state of consciousness or under duress. Here, we see the use of “home” equipment, which in the industry is called “scratching.” The lack of licensing for the sale of tattoo machines on major marketplaces allows any aggressor to get their hands on a dangerous tool.
The perpetrator chose the most intimate and visible areas. According to Andy Han, the tattoos covered the chest and buttocks – this is how the man tried to “mark” parts of the body that, in his disturbed belief, others might touch. But the most terrible thing was that the violence affected the victim’s face and neck. Photographs published by NL Times show Joke’s face literally scribbled with crude black letters. For the tattoo community, the face is a “last resort” area, which only experienced tattoo wearers, understanding the social consequences, decide to get. In this case, it was an attempt at social isolation of the woman, depriving her of the ability to interact normally with the world.
| Tattoo Location | Quantity/Type | Aggressor’s Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Face and Neck | Multiple inscriptions | Social isolation, public humiliation |
| Chest and Buttocks | Name and initials | Symbol of ownership, pathological jealousy |
| Entire Body | Approximately 250 elements | Total control, suppression of will |
Legal Dead End and “Consent” Under Duress
Despite the clear nature of the torture, justice in the Netherlands faced serious obstacles. Joke filed a police report, but the case stalled due to legal loopholes. The perpetrator claims that all tattoos were made “by mutual consent.” In legal practice, it is extremely difficult to prove otherwise if the process is prolonged and the victim was in a state of depression, consumed alcohol, or took medication to dull the pain and fear. Joke rightly points out that no sane person would voluntarily agree to tattoos near their eyes, nose, or ears, done by an amateur in crude conditions.
For tattoo culture, this precedent is a disturbing signal. Experts insist on stricter control over the circulation of tattoo equipment. While the sale of medical instruments is strictly regulated, a professional tattoo machine, capable of causing irreparable harm to health and psyche, remains accessible to anyone with a bank card.
The Path to Healing: Laser as Salvation
Today, Joke is undergoing an exhausting rehabilitation process. With the support of the “Stichting Spijt van Tattoo” foundation, she has started a course of laser ink removal. This is a long, painful, and expensive process that can take years. Modern neodymium and picosecond lasers can significantly lighten even the crudest work, but scars – both physical and mental – heal much longer. Joke has set a goal to get rid of all visible traces of her “owner” by the end of the current year.
Her decision to openly declare her misfortune has become a powerful incentive for other women in similar situations. “If I could find the strength to get up, anyone can,” she writes. In the context of the modern tattoo industry, this story serves as a reminder that tattooing is a huge responsibility. The professional community must not only create beauty but also actively combat the use of their craft as a tool to suppress human dignity. Joke’s case is a call for vigilance and the need to create protective mechanisms for those whose bodies are being turned into someone else’s property.