Your local hair stylist may be learning to do much more than cut hair. Some hair dressers are some of the first in Ohio to get lessons on how to detect domestic violence.
Salons are taking on the crime because of the comfort women feel at salons. "We're like therapists," said Franklin hair stylist Amanda Groves. She says that puts stylists in the perfect position to help people in danger.
The comfort between stylists and clients has created a new partnership between the Ohio Attorney General's Office and the Ohio Board of Cosmetology.
Together they're relaunching a program called Cut it Out.
What's new?
Stylists can continue to receive education credits by taking a course on how to cut out domestic violence.
More than three dozen hair stylists from around Butler and Warren counties gathered at the Trenton community building Monday for one of the first training sessions in the state.
"They trust these women with their deepest darkest secrets. It's just a natural progression before they start to talk about the domestic violence," said Kathy Lind. She is a crisis service coordinator who teaches the sessions.
The group learned the signs of abuse that a hair stylist could detect.
"Nail breakage, bruising around the scalp, braids that have been removed. Gashes to the head," said Lind.
"The things they're more likely to see are changes in the women's behavior. Someone who's typically outgoing now has to ask for permission to change the style or the color of her hair. Someone who's not allowed to go into the salon unless her partner is waiting outside," Lind added.
Those attending the workshop were taught to not get too involved but pass on places to go for help.
"We're not supposed to be the expert. We're just supposed to be somebody that's there no matter what. If you need somebody. We're here no matter what," said Groves.
Stylists who attended the workshop said they got so much out of the session and it's something that should be required at a beauty school.
