Lakeview tattoo artist helps domestic violence survivors rewrite their stories

CHICAGO (WLS) -- October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and a Lakeview tattoo artist is helping survivors rewrite their stories.

Ben Wahhh says he spends hours, sometimes days carefully imagining a new design to cover old tattoos and in some cases old scars for survivors of domestic violence. With each drop of ink, he says there's a reclaiming of freedom.

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"It seemed like one pain led to another pain. It was like a spiral," survivor Angela Potts said. "I thought I would die in pain."

Potts was left with scars after her relationship became violent.

"Looking in the mirror, a constant reminder of the abuse," Potts said.

With one tattoo pen, that painful reminder is transforming into power.

"It's like a puzzle. You have to make a new drawing that's going to coexist with a preexisting one, but disguise it in such a manner that you cannot see it," Wahhh said.

Wahhh says he loves a challenge. The owner of Deluxe Tattoo on Irving Park Road started the Ink Relief Program about seven months ago. He partners with the Salt and Light Coalition, an organization helping survivors of domestic violence and human and sex trafficking to provide cover up tattoos free of cost.

"I had one that was scars, and it was on a woman's wrist. And she had been turned away many times by many people," Wahhh said.

RELATED: What to know during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

He'll spend hours studying the mark, navigating between light and dark areas and somehow turn even cuts on a wrist into blooming flowers.

"Nobody should have to have these burdens on them. They should be able to go out there and be free of this and live their lives," Wahhh said.

"I got roses because I rose from that situation, and I have butterflies. And that's the arts for a new beginning," Potts said.

It's a new chance to reclaim her story and help others do the same.

"You have to look past the situation that you in and see better," Potts said. "Victory is mine. Victory is mine."

If you are a survivor of domestic violence or know someone who would benefit from the Ink Relief Program, visit www.inkrelief.org.

You can contact the Illinois domestic violence hotline at 1-877-863-6338 click here for more information.