going viral edition
the + CRAP TATTS sworD A love story
TAKE the
survey
AND YOU COULD
win $50
The sword
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
the sword - part 2
10
11
12
13
14
*
a pcr DETECTION TEST WILL TELL YOU IF YOU HAVE a current infection with THE HEP C VIRUS to find out more about pcr TESTING AND hep c, CALL THE HEPATITIS infoLINE 1800 803 990
15
16
17
ge
P
T
R E i and
safely
ceD
inked
A piercing or tattoo from your mate might be cheap (or free!) but they're probably not professionally trained. When you're getting work done you want a good job and a safe one - not one that leaves you with hep C. Hep C is passed on by blood-toblood contact - that's when the blood of one person gets into the bloodstream of someone else. This can happen if ANYTHING is reused and not sterilised using a medical sterilising machine when piercing or tattooing. When there is blood-to-blood contact, there is a very real risk of getting a blood-borne-virus, like HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
18 18
registered professionals If you go to a professional piercer or tattooist, they make sure there is a very low risk of blood-to-blood contact. A piercer or tattooist who isn't qualified and doesn't have access to professional equipment might not know the best way to sterilise their equipment and to keep you safe. They may not think it's important. If somewhere is registered, they should have a certificate from the local Council displayed somewhere in their shop or studio.
Home piercing & Tattooing Getting piercings or tattoos at home comes with a higher risk of blood-to-blood contact. Most people don't have professional training in infection control and don't have an autoclave machine at home. An autoclave is the machine that professional piercers and tattoists use to sterlise their equipment. Backyard or home piercing and tattoing can be a high risk for bloodto-blood contact because you can't be sure the equipment used will be properly sterilised.
You are best off going to a registered professional for any work you get - they know how important it is to make sure you don't get hep C AND get a piercing or tattoo that looks good. But, if you are going to pierce or tattoo yourself or others, always use fresh equipment.
19
5 Tips For Safer Tattooing 1
INK Whatever ink you're using could have blood in it if it's
not made fresh or opened fresh for you.
2
TIP The needle or tip can have blood on it if it has been
used on someone else. Cleaning it with bleach will reduce the risk but it may not make it 100% safe. Use a fresh one every time!
3
BODY If you reuse the part of the gun that holds the
ink then it could have blood from the last time it was used. If you can, use a fresh one or if you can't, you can reduce the risk for hep C by soaking it in bleach.
4
5
20
MOTOR Someone giving a tattoo usually gets blood on their hands or gloves. This blood can get on any part of the gun. In a professional parlour, anything that is re-used is sterlised using an autoclave*
HANDS Everyones hands have dirt and bacteria on them. If the person doing your tattoo isn't wearing gloves, this dirt and bacteria can give you a serious infection in your new tattoo. This can scar and wreck your tattoo. * an autoclave is a machine used to clean things to a surgical standard, like in hospitals.
CRAP TATTS A love story
21
where did you get the gun?
i read something on the internet, it showed me how to make it myself. it’s pretty easy!
i found this other website where you can buy a kit with a proper TATTOO gun, Ink and the rest of the stuff... i ordered one, it should be here in about 2 weeks, can’t wait!
i’m not soft! i’ve been keen but just can’t come up with something i like ...
22
you got any tatts jase? or are you too soft to get one!?
i’ve got one!
oh man... that’s pretty bodgy!
yeah i did it during my maths classes... no wonder i failed
looks like you failed art class too!
ok i’m pumped up now ... If you can do it, i can get one too!
what do you wanna get?
OK, let’s do this
we should get each others names babe!
are you going to change the needle?
relax man, it’s fine! don’t worry about it
23
i dare you to let him do a dogshit tattoo on your bum
you are so random... BUT you know i can’t say no...
one week later... hey, can i help you?
i hope so, i want to get a tatt removed
we put them on, not take them off! but i do know laser removal can be expensive, sometimes thousands!
24
SHIT! thousands? i haven’t got that kind of money
i don’t know why you guys do this to yourselves... it looks shit and it’s probably infected too... what could be so bad you want to get rid of it?
We broke up! WOW!
and then you come here and want me to fix it up
yeah, but it costs even more than if you just had it done properly the first time!
can you cover it up or something? how about the dragon tatt could you do that?
a tattoo is for life you know. You need to give it some thought. if you really want to cover it, i can do it
just save your money, make an appointment and bring your I.D with you. You do have I.D dont you?
of course i do!
you look like you’re about 16
It is illegal to tattoo anyone under 18 ... come back in 2 years kid
25
i’m stuck with this for 2 years?
you should get a blood test too.
in a proper tattoo shop like this, we sterilise all our equipment in an autoclave but a tatt like yours, that you got at a party could mean the gun was used on other people too. There might be a chance of picking up an infection like hep C
blood test?! hep c?! i didn’t think about any of this stuff, i was just having fun with my friends, and now it’s all messed up!
you know what i mean... my tatts are good but i can’t fix tatts that look like dogshit!
...hang on can i help you?
uuhhm
26
nah i’m ok, don’t worry about it
later that day... i can’t believe i’ve got kylie’s name on my body. We aren’t even together anymore!
i’ve got a tattoo of a dogshit on me!! at least you can meet another chick called Kylie!
we are both as dumb as each other
that’s the guy that gave us the tatts hey?
why did you give me this crap tattoo?
i don’t even remember
chill out! i just gave you what YOU wanted!
arrrrggggghhhhhhhh!
27
not really, i’m angry! most of all at myself!
Jason! are you ok?
i went to find out about getting the tattoo removed. they told me it’S possible that i might have picked up an infection like hep C because the tatt gun was used on other people and not sterilised properly
that’s great news...
i’ve been trying to find you, there’s something i have to tell you
We should both go and get tested. They told me it’s just a blood test
what now?
i’ve never had a blood test before
all i know is that we both have a crappy tatt and now maybe even a virus or infection as a bonus
i know! i’m pretty freaked out by it all...
i know we aren’t together anymore but I was hoping maybe we could go together to get tested
yeah... I think that’s a good idea
THE END
28
the survey HOW TO GO IN THE DRAW TO WIN $50 go to OR
e fill outNtDhYOU surveyDAWIN A COUL CHER $50 VOU
its easy!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BVL8NWV
and fill out the survey online BY 18 JANUARY 2013
1 FILL OUT THE SURVEY ON THE BACK OF THIS PAGE 2 CUT THIS PAGE OUT OF THE MAGAZINE 3 FOLD IN HALF ALONG THE BLACK DOTTED LINE BELOW, SO THAT THE ADDRESS IS ON THE OUTSIDE 4 STICK THE 2 SIDES CLOSED WITH STICKY TAPE or staples (ALONG THE yELLOW EDGES ABOVE AND BELOW) 5 PUT IT IN THE POST to us by 28 february 2013 (NO NEED TO BUY A STAMP, ITS free to send) NB: just one entry per person
29
the survey QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE
OUT fill THISYOU AND IN A COULD WCHER $50 VOU
1. After reading this Transmission Magazine, I feel I know more about hep C.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither
Disagree
Strongly disagree
2. After reading this Transmission Magazine,
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither
Disagree
I feel I am better able to look after my health
Strongly disagree
3. After reading this Transmission Magazine, I feel I can make changes in my life
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither
Disagree
Strongly disagree
4. After reading this Transmission Magazine, I feel more connected to my doctors and nurses, etc.
5. Overall, I am satisfied with this edition of Transmission Magazine
6. How do you think we could make this magazine better?
QUESTIONS ABOUT YOU 7. How old are you? 8. Are you:
male
12. Are you: (tick as many as you like) A person with hep C
female
trans/inter
9. What is your current postcode (or prison)?
A person cured of hep C Partner/relative/friend of person with hep C Person with hep B Current prisoner
10. Do you speak another language?
Ex-prisoner GP/Health worker
No, only English
Community/youth worker
Yes, the other language I speak is:
11. Do you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?
Yes
Person who currently injects drugs Person who no longer injects drugs
No
Worker in NSP sector Worker in AOD or OST sectors Other (please say)
13. If you would like to go in the $50 voucher draw, please give us your (optional): Phone number: or email address or MIN :
30
Name:
Hepatitis NSW respects and upholds your right to privacy protection. In accordance with National Privacy Principles, we have a detailed policy and set of procedures regulating how we collect, use, disclose and hold your personal information. For a copy of the policy, please contact us on 02 9332 1853 or visit our website: www.hep.org.au
its easy!
special thanks The comic The Sword was based on the theatre production Body Armour. Writer Kamarra Bell Wykes Dramaturg John Romerill Director Margaret Harvey ILBIJERRI (pronounced: il BIDGE er ree) is a Woiwurrung word that means ‘coming together for ceremony’.
EDITORS/DESIGNERS Rhea Shortus/Bruce Cherry EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Sione Crawford Sonam Paljor Peter Middleton Jenny Douglas Andrew Smith Paul Harvey Tim Baxter Lisa Camillo Michelle Enhelidis COMIC WRITER Tom Taylor - The Sword Jennifer Mills - Bodgy Tatts COMIC ARTIST Emily Smith - The Sword Marty Schneider - Bodgy Tatts
ILBIJERRI Theatre Company exists to tell indigenous stories with passion, integrity and humour. ILBIJERRI is the longest running Indigenous Theatre Company in Australia and the only one in Victoria.
Hepatitis Infoline 1800 803 990 Aside from Hepatitis NSW editorial CONTENT, views expressed in this magazine or flyers enclosed with it, are not necessarily those of Hepatitis NSW. Neither are such views necessarily those of our funding bodies. Transmission magazine does not promote nor condone the use of illicit drugs. rather, it seeks to provide accurate information that will help people who already inject drugs to reduce risks and make safer choices. Nothing in this magazine should be taken as recommending drug use.
If you are a youth or health worker and would like to know more about how your clients can contribute to the development of Transmission Magazine call the Hepatitis Infoline 1800 803 990 or email bcherry@hep.org.au
Hepatitis NSW p: 02 9332 1853 f: 02 9332 1730 PO Box 432 Darlinghurst, NSW 1300 info@hep.org.au Level 1, 414 Elizabeth Street Surry Hills Sydney 2010 www.hep.org.au Hepatitis NSW is proud to acknowledge Aboriginal people as the traditional owners and custodians of our lands and waters. ABN 30 408 095 245 A non-profit health promotion charity funded by the NSW Ministry of Health. Accredited by the Quality Improvement Council of Australia (QIC). Donations of $2 and over tax deductible
ns of Looking for old editio E? ZIN GA Transmission MA All past editions are
online AT:
ionmagazine www.hep.org.au/transmiss
Going Viral is a project led by Hepatitis NSW working in partnership with Western Sydney, Nepean Blue Mountains, Sydney, Southern Sydney and Far West Local Health Districts. Going Viral aims to increase links between NSP services, youth services and health services to help improve hep C prevention and treatment access for young people across NSW.
PH:1800 803 990 TRANSMISSION@HEP.ORG.AU
www.facebook.com/HepatitisNSW