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SALT LAKE CITY — Six Utah-based tattoo artists organized an event to raise funds for Utah’s Rape Recovery Center, as well as a way to speak out against sexual assault.
Hundreds turned out to get a free cat tattoo. The purpose was to stand up against sexual assault.
Some started setting up camp outside the Salt Lake City tattoo shop on 353 E. 200 South at 6 a.m. Monday, and by 1 p.m. more than 750 people had put their names on the waiting list to get the free cat tattoo.
“We didn’t expect it to get this big,” tattoo artist Sarah de Azevedo said.
It started with an idea de Azevedo had to raise awareness about sexual assault, then five other Utah-based tattoo artists joined in and helped organize the event — a fundraiser for Utah’s Rape Recovery Center.
“Pussycat tattoos to give people a reminder, make them feel empowered,” de Azevedo said.
The idea was sparked after the 14-year veteran artist heard the audio released of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s off-the-record conversation with E! Entertainment host Billy Bush.
“I was pretty upset when the Trump tapes came out … the purpose of the art is to call attention to those words that are now famous and how inappropriate and inexcusable they are,” de Azevedo said.
“I know many victims of sexual assault. To me, this was a permanent way to say 'This is not OK,'” said one customer.
The event raised more than $4,000 total, all of which will be given to the Rape Recovery Center.
