A new law about to be introduced in the US state of Illinois means that licenced beauty professionals will be trained to recognise signs of domestic abuse and sexual assault in their customers.
Hairdressers, cosmetologists, nail technicians and barbers will be required to take an hour-long course that is designed to teach them to recognise the signs of abuse and ways to address it with their customers.
The state Representative who sponsored the bill, Fran Hurley, believes there is a unique "openness and freeness" to the relationships such workers have with their regular customers.
"[The] relationship...last years or decades between the client and the cosmetologist. They're in a position to see something that may or may not be right," Hurley told the Chicago Tribune.
While the training won't require them to report any incidents, it will allow workers to be better equipped at dealing with such sensitive situations.
It also offers victims one more place they are able to turn to for help and support. Some see their hairdressers, or the beauticians they see on a regular basis, as a close friend and someone they are able to share the goings-on of their lives with.
Chicago Says No More, an organisation dedicated to addressing the challenges of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Chicago metro area, are considering efforts to include other professions - like bartenders - in domestic violence training.
While many salon workers have welcomed the change, others are wary about having the power to "make or break somebody's family".
"It's heavy on the heart," said Analie Papageorge, the owner of a Salon and Beauty Academy in the state.
Top Comments
Really? I would prefer they stuck to their mundane questions of 'are you going out tonight'?
Are you for real? Did you read the article at all? It says that the course will teach them to recognise "signs of abuse", and equip them with the ability to deal with sensitive situations. It certainly does not sound like every hairdresser will be asking all of their clients whether they are being abused.
I personally think that it is a great initiative. I imagine it will work much in the same way as teachers are trained to recognise signs of abuse... And at the salon, or beautician, people are often a lot more relaxed. If they really are in trouble, and their hairdresser or beautician is somewhat of a confidant, then they may feel able to open up, in a way they would not from close family or friends. If the people they are talking to are trained to offer the right advice, all the better. We need MORE talk about domestic violence, not less.
Beauty professionals in the USA are paid minimum wage and rely on tips. It is an unfair burden to place on workers who are not trained social workers. It is a 'feel good' initiative without substance.
Oh but it might make someone uncomfortable and nurturing the fee fees of squeamish people is more important than protecting people from domestic violence, don't cha know?
I don't know, it doesn't sound like it's imposing a positive obligation on the beauty professionals, but rather, equipping them with skills they can use if the situation warrants it.
And I agree that it's a big burden if you're expecting them to play a social worker role - but from the sound of this article, they're just trained to recognise the signs of abuse and pass along info, like people in other professions also.
I reckon if you put it to beauty professionals as an opt in training, you'd be surprised how many people would be interested. They might not be paid a lot, but that does not mean they have no humanity... Heck, perhaps they'd welcome an opportunity to make a difference, rather than the tired old chit chat.