What This Tattoo Artist Does for Domestic Violence Survivors Will Blow You Away

By: Marlisse Cepeda

It is wonderful to see how their relationship with their bodies changes after they get the tattoos."

Domestic violence not only leaves haunting memories, but also permanent marks. While surgery may aid in recovery, scars can be inevitable and may never fully go away. That's what Brazilian tattoo artist Flavia Carvalho hopes to help with, in her work with domestic violence survivors.

Carvalho started working with abuse victims in 2013 when a woman sought her help in covering up a scar that was left after a man stabbed her for rejecting him at a nightclub. "When she saw the finished tattoo, she was extremely moved, and that deeply touched me," Carvalho told the Huffington Post.

After that, she began a project called A Pele de Flor (The Skin of a Flower), where she provides free, meaningful tattoos to domestic violence survivors and mastectomy patients. Carvalho recently opened up about the project to the Huffington Post.

The feedback I have gotten from women who were helped by this project has been extremely surprising. The sense of affection, sisterhood and camaraderie is deeper than I ever imagined. They contact me from all over the country, as well as from abroad. They come to the studio, share their stories of pain and resilience, and they show me their scars. Embarrassed, they cry, and hug me. Then we design the tattoo and we schedule the session. They become excited, optimistic. It is wonderful to see how their relationship with their bodies changes after they get the tattoos. I follow many of them on Facebook, and I see how, after being ashamed of their scarred bodies, they now post pictures in dresses, and they look happy, changed. It is transformative.

She shares photos of her stunning art, along with the stories of the women, on her Facebook page. Bravo, Carvalho!

Source: http://www.womansday.com/life/real-women/news/a51841/flavia-carvalho-free-tattoos/o