Domestic Violence Training For Hairdressers: What You Need To Know
One in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence. We understand that this is a tough statistic to hear—and unfortunately, these numbers have continued to rise since the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a beauty professional, you’re in a unique position to help clients who are potentially victims of abuse. By learning to recognize the signs, how to safely talk to clients and having resources and tools on-hand, you can help make a big difference.
For National Domestic Violence Month, BARBICIDE® National Director of Education & Industry Relations Leslie Roste spoke to salon owner, domestic violence survivor and Shear Haven Co-Founder Susanne Shepherd Post (@su2she) on how to navigate conversations with clients who might be in danger. Keep scrolling for a few key takeaways.
Click here to take BARBICIDE® & Shear Haven’s Domestic Violence Training Course!
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Key Takeaways:
1. Be An Ear
When a client is venting to you about their problems, it’s so easy to offer an opinion on the situation. But, when it comes to domestic violence, that’s not always the best approach—creating a supportive space is a must. Sometimes, the client just needs someone who isn’t a close friend or family member to listen without judgement.
2. Empathy & Patience Are Key
It can take a domestic violence survivor up to seven times to leave an abusive relationship. It’s easy to pass judgement or get frustrated, wondering why someone won’t leave a toxic situation, but there are a variety of reasons people stay with their abusive partners.
Here are a few:
- For their children
- For their pets
- Financial stability
3. Sign Up For Domestic Violence Training
A domestic violence victim is more likely to talk to someone they know than to go to the police. As hairdressers, it’s not your job to be your client’s therapist, but investing time in a domestic violence training course can give you the tools to navigate complicated conversations and lead your clients to professional help.
