Rhiannon Ingle
A woman who claims her face was tattooed with obscenities against her will wasn't able to get a job because of it.
Taylor White, from Florida, says she was just 21 years old and was dating a boyfriend who she claims became increasingly abusive.
However, Taylor is finally getting the ink that once severely impacted her life removed thanks to the kindness of a complete stranger.
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The alleged non-consensual tattoo came about on the night of Taylor's 21st birthday.
Taylor claims the man got her drunk and then lured her back to a hotel where she woke up in severe pain and believes she was assaulted.
She then looked into a mirror in the empty hotel room and discovered that her entire face had been covered in tattoos of 'really horrible things'.
In attempt to heal from the incredibly traumatic experience, Taylor - a former tattoo artist - tried to cover the obscene tattoos with makeup, but they were still somewhat visible even with copious amounts of concealer.
It was only when her boss noticed them peeking out from her makeup, that she realized she couldn’t go on living like this.
Speaking to the New York Post, Taylor recalled: "He said, 'You you can’t live like this'."
He had also offered to cover the unwanted body art in blackout ink so she could have a 'normal life' and start making the steps to move past the horrific ordeal.
Despite accepting his offer back in 2008, Taylor was constantly rejected for jobs.
"I’ve tried applying for jobs in the mental health care field just as an advocate," she revealed. "I understand that my appearance is quite different, and could maybe jar someone that has their own condition."
She has since received the amazing support from a TikTok creator who kindly offered to help her.
Having heard her story and watched her videos about her bipolar disorder, the creator TheDadBot - whose real name is Karridy Askenasy - felt compelled to Taylor her out.
"The trouble she was facing obviously had a personal effect on her,” he said in an interview with The New York Post.
Karridy added: "It was preventing her from doing the most good possible."
He went on to offer to cover the cost of the tattoo removal and even reached out to multiple clinics for help with the laser surgery.
Laser tattoo-removal company Removery got in touch and said that they would complete the removal for free - something that would usually cost thousands of dollars.
Carmen VanderHeiden Brodie, who is the VP of Clinical Operations at Removery, said it could take Taylor up to two years to be tattoo-free but that she was 'smiling' through her first session.
"I’m not having it removed purely for cosmetic reasons," Taylor, who is now 37, said. "This is really removing a part of me that I no longer represent or live in."
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivor’s Trust for free on 08088 010 818, or through their website thesurvivorstrust.org.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, call Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit their website here. In an emergency always dial 999.