Anti-domestic abuse campaign Cut It Out is enlisting hairdressers in salons throughout the borough of Rochdale to help tackle domestic abuse through their “unique position”.
The initiative, which comes from the Rochdale Borough Council, is to provide specialist training to hairdressing and beauty students from Hopwood Hall College and to salon staff and hairdressers.
The sessions, which are delivered by the council’s domestic abuse team, Safenet, and Victim Support, will also be rolled out to barbers and other businesses over the next year.
Commendably, over 40 salons across the borough of Rochdale have been trained to spot the signs of domestic abuse and signpost their customers to locally available services.
Those who complete their training will be given a certificate and pin badge to wear so customers know they can talk to them in confidence about domestic abuse.
Participating salons will also display posters with contact information for services and further support in follow-up calls from the council.
“These environments are often where women and men affected by domestic abuse can confide in stylists in confidence and with trust,” said Councillor Janet Emsley, joint deputy leader and portfolio holder for equalities, safety, and reform. She continued:
“We are offering the training and resources to all salons across the borough for free, as we understand that salon professionals are in a unique position to recognise the signs and symptoms of domestic abuse in their customers.
We are providing salons with information on local services and through correct training on how to safely refer victims to help, salon professionals can become invaluable and influential in reducing the impact of domestic abuse – ensuring victims know someone is listening.
Whilst visiting the salons throughout the borough, we have been made aware that Cut it Out is working; customers have been accessing the information available and have had the courage to come forward to disclose their situation.”
Community-based interventions like the Cut It Out Rochdale programme enable early identification and early help, which are vital in creating a society which has a zero tolerance to domestic abuse and ultimately reduces harm.
