Bismarck Piercer Helps Sexual Assault Survivors Reclaim Their Bodies

Aileen Fritz, a piercer at Alchemist Tattoo & Body Piercing, shares her personal experience as a survivor and how she supports clients through the healing process.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:53pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph in warm, soft tones depicting a person's hand gently touching their own arm, conveying a sense of personal reclamation and healing.A piercer's compassionate approach helps sexual assault survivors reclaim their bodies through body modifications.Bismarck Today

Aileen Fritz, a piercer at Alchemist Tattoo & Body Piercing in Bismarck, North Dakota, is a sexual assault survivor who uses her personal experience to provide a safe, trauma-informed environment for clients, especially those who have experienced sexual violence. Fritz explains how piercings and tattoos can help survivors regain control over their bodies, and the special care she takes to ensure her clients feel comfortable throughout the process.

Why it matters

Many survivors of sexual assault find empowerment and healing through body modifications like piercings and tattoos, but the experience can also be triggering due to the physical touch involved. Fritz's story highlights the importance of trauma-informed care in the body art industry, and how piercing can be a powerful tool for survivors to reclaim ownership of their bodies.

The details

Fritz, who experienced sexual assault at a young age, has become a support system for other survivors seeking body modifications. She and the staff at Alchemist Tattoo & Body Piercing are trained in trauma-informed piercing, which involves asking for consent before touching clients, discussing aftercare, and creating a safe, comfortable environment. Fritz sees piercings and tattoos as a way for survivors to take back control of their bodies and say, 'This is mine, and I can do with it as I please.'

  • April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The players

Aileen Fritz

A piercer at Alchemist Tattoo & Body Piercing in Bismarck, North Dakota, and a survivor of sexual assault who uses her personal experience to support other survivors through the body modification process.

Alchemist Tattoo & Body Piercing

A tattoo and piercing studio in downtown Bismarck that provides trauma-informed services, especially for survivors of sexual assault.

Abused Adult Resource Center

An organization that provided support and resources to Aileen Fritz during her own healing journey after experiencing sexual assault.

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What they’re saying

“To be honest, it's a really tough thing to talk about for a lot of people.”

— Aileen Fritz, Piercer

“Luckily, it's pretty far in my past that I'm okay with talking about it now. And to be honest, talking about it is one of the main ways to kind of help you get over it.”

— Aileen Fritz, Piercer

“I deal with a lot of folks who are coming in, taking control of their body again, after they've started their healing process. A lot of times it's a way to go, 'this is mine, and I can do with it as I please.' And that's huge for a lot of people who've been told no their whole lives.”

— Aileen Fritz, Piercer

“So, there's a lot of little things that we do that I've kind of learned over the years, like I tend to ask people if I can touch them first. Even though they come in knowing I'm going to touch them, it's nice to be like, 'hey, I'm going to touch you now.'”

— Aileen Fritz, Piercer

“They're your mom, your sister, your daughter, your best friend, and you may not even know.”

— Aileen Fritz, Piercer

What’s next

If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted, some organizations can help nationally and locally.

The takeaway

Aileen Fritz's story highlights the importance of trauma-informed care in the body art industry, and how piercings and tattoos can be a powerful tool for survivors of sexual assault to reclaim ownership of their bodies and their healing process.