#MeTooTattoo is an online movement
We’re raising awareness of women who have had a love-themed tattoo or their boyfriend’s or partner’s name tattooed on them under pressure, blackmail or manipulation.
In Belgium and the Netherlands, we help victims have their ex-partner’s name tattoo removed free of charge.
Some tattoos are not truly chosen freely.
A name on your body may seem like a sign of love. But what if you had doubts? What if you were pressured, nagged, manipulated or threatened until you finally gave in?
Agreeing under constant pressure is not the same as choosing freely.
#MeTooTattoo gives women a voice and brings to light what has long been hidden.
What is #MeTooTattoo?
#MeTooTattoo is a women’s movement challenging tattoos that came about through emotional pressure, manipulation, fear, coercion or control within a relationship.
It’s not only about extreme cases. It can start with words that seem harmless:
“If you really love me, you’ll get my name tattooed.”
“I’d love it if we got matching tattoos as a symbol of our relationship.”
First, it’s asked kindly. Then the pressure begins. Sometimes for days, sometimes for months, until saying no becomes harder and harder.
Whether someone has one name tattooed or hundreds, the principle is the same:
A tattoo should never be proof of love, loyalty or ownership.
Does this sound familiar?
Perhaps you had your partner’s name tattooed because:
- he kept asking or pressuring you;
- you were afraid of disappointing him or losing him;
- he made you feel guilty;
- you were pressured to prove your love;
- saying no could lead to an argument, threats or violence;
- you were emotionally or financially dependent on him;
- you realised afterwards that it had never been entirely your choice.
That doesn’t make you stupid. It doesn’t make you weak. And you are certainly not alone.
You have nothing to be ashamed of.
Why this movement is needed
Even after a relationship ends, many women still carry the name of the person who controlled them every day.
To the outside world, it may be “just a tattoo”. For the woman herself, it can be a daily reminder of a time marked by fear, humiliation, manipulation or abuse.
With #MeTooTattoo, we want to:
- break the taboo and lift the shame;
- let women know they are not alone;
- warn young women and girls about this form of control;
- show that a tattoo that appears to have been chosen freely may still have come about under pressure;
- make clear that love should never have to be proved under pressure;
- help women reclaim their bodies and their freedom.
Your body belongs to you. Always.
Together, we can break the silence and shame
#MeTooTattoo was launched in the Netherlands by Joke and the Tattoo No More laser clinics.
Joke was herself a victim of extreme coercive control. She has chosen to share her story publicly so that other women can recognise their own experiences and know they are not alone.
Joke’s courage makes her a powerful voice for a much wider, worldwide problem.
#MeTooTattoo is not only about what is on your skin. Above all, it is about how it got there.
Perhaps you think your story is not serious enough because you eventually went to the tattoo studio yourself, because you agreed to it, or because no physical violence was involved.
But pressure and coercion are not always visible.
If you felt you weren’t truly free to say no, your story matters.
Together, we can break the silence and shame. Together, we are stronger.
How you can support the movement
Share your experience
Did you have a partner’s name or something else tattooed on you under pressure? Share a photo of your tattoo and briefly explain how it happened.
Leave a supportive comment
Don’t have a similar tattoo yourself, but want to support these women? Leave a kind and respectful comment. No judgement, and no questions like, “Why did you let it happen?”
Like and share the campaign
The more #MeTooTattoo is shared, the more women we can reach. Every like, comment and shared image helps break the silence.
What to include in your post
You could describe:
- what your relationship was like;
- what role pressure, manipulation, fear or dependency played;
- why it was difficult for you to say no;
- why you eventually agreed to the tattoo;
- what the tattoo means to you now.
You’re in control
You don’t have to show your face in the photo. You don’t have to name or tag your ex-partner.
A simple comment like “You’re not alone” can mean a great deal. You can also invite friends, sisters, colleagues and organisations to take part.
Always use #MeTooTattoo in your post.
LIKE · COMMENT · SHARE
Apply for free removal?
Available in Belgium and the Netherlands only. Would you like to have your ex-partner’s name tattoo removed and share your story to support #MeTooTattoo? We will treat a limited number of selected women completely free of charge.
Unfortunately, we can’t treat everyone who applies. We don’t know in advance how many applications we’ll receive, so we first need to make a careful selection. Applying does not guarantee that you’ll be selected.
The quality of the expected final result always comes first.
Conditions and procedure
Please read carefully what we ask of you before you apply. Expand the sections below for all the details.
Conditions for applying
You can only apply if you meet all of the conditions below:
- The tattoo consists only of a name or names.
- The tattoo is no larger than an average iPhone: about 15 × 7 centimetres.
- The tattoo contains black ink only and no colours.
- The tattoo has never been treated before with a laser or any other removal method.
- You are not currently being treated for this tattoo by another clinic.
- You have your own active Facebook, Instagram or TikTok account.
- You are willing to share your story publicly.
- You are willing to actively support #MeTooTattoo throughout the entire treatment process.
- You understand that removing a tattoo can take two years or longer.
- You are able to come to the clinic about every eight weeks at the weekend, on the day and at the time we set.
If you meet all of these conditions, we can process your application.
Sharing publicly is important and therefore a condition
#MeTooTattoo wants to break the shame and silence surrounding forced and manipulated tattoos. That is only possible when women speak out together and share their experiences.
That is why sharing your story publicly is a fixed condition for free treatment.
Don’t want to share your story publicly? Then there is no point in applying for this programme.
You don’t have to be recognisable. Your face does not have to be in the photo and you don’t have to name or tag your ex-partner.
What you do share publicly:
- a clear photo in which your tattoo is visible;
- what your relationship was like;
- what pressure, manipulation, fear or dependence played a role;
- why you agreed to the tattoo at the time;
- what having the tattoo removed means to you;
- your steps and progress during the treatment process.
Your campaign posts must be publicly visible on your own Facebook, Instagram or TikTok account. You always use #MeTooTattoo.
The aim is not to publicly attack your ex-partner. The aim is to show how women can agree under pressure to something they did not want deep down.
By sharing your experience, you help other women recognise their own situation. You show them that they are not alone and that there is no reason to feel ashamed.
Selection and assessment
We first need to be able to take a good look at the tattoo. Based on the photos, we assess things such as:
- the type and amount of ink;
- how deep the tattoo was probably placed;
- the colour and condition of the skin;
- the combination of the ink and your skin type;
- the chance of a good and responsible end result.
Not every type of black ink can be treated safely and responsibly on every skin type.
We only treat when we are confident enough of a good end result.
If we have doubts, we do not treat.
Even if we only slightly expect that the tattoo will not fade well, we will not start the treatment.
That may be disappointing, but we do not take any risks with your skin. We will not put our name to a treatment where we expect the end result may not meet our standards.
Our decision is therefore final. We trust that you will respect this decision. Because of the expected number of applications, we cannot correspond at length or enter into discussion about every rejection.
The treatment process
Removing a tattoo is a long process. A treatment process can easily take two years or longer.
How long it takes depends on things such as:
- the type and amount of ink;
- how deep the tattoo was placed;
- the age and quality of the tattoo;
- your skin type;
- how your skin reacts;
- how well your skin recovers.
A treatment takes place about every eight weeks, always at the weekend.
We let you know on which day and at what time your treatment takes place. Can’t make it at that time? Then you will have to wait for the next treatment moment, about eight weeks later.
A missed treatment cannot be made up in between.
We set aside time especially for you. That is why we expect you, in turn, to make time on the agreed day and at the set time.
What do we expect during your treatment process?
If you are selected, you do not pay anything for the treatments. In return, you actively and publicly support #MeTooTattoo throughout the entire treatment process.
Before every treatment
You post a public message on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok saying that you are going for another treatment, that this is another step towards freedom and emotional recovery, and what this step means to you at that moment. You always use #MeTooTattoo.
When you arrive at the clinic
You check in on your social media and let people know that you have arrived for your treatment.
During or after the treatment
We take a photo in which the tattoo and the treatment are visible. Your face does not need to be recognisable. You post this photo publicly on your social media, together with a short update on your progress.
You help spread the movement
In your posts:
- you use #MeTooTattoo;
- you tag your friends;
- you ask them to share your post;
- you encourage others to leave a supportive comment;
- you encourage others to create a post of their own.
This keeps #MeTooTattoo visible, and you help the next woman to break through her shame and tell her story.
#MeTooTattoo application form
Applications will only be considered if all questions have been answered in full and clear photos have been added.
Once we receive your application, we first check whether it is complete. Only complete applications with clear photos will be included in the selection.
Applying does not automatically entitle you to free treatment.
Your body. Your story. Your choice.
Getting the tattoo may not have been entirely your own free choice.
But having it removed can be your choice.
With every photo, every story and every supportive comment, the silence grows a little smaller.
Love does not need to be proven in ink.
Your body is not a possession.
Your body belongs to you.
#MeTooTattoo