Coiffeur and chat lifesavers
Hairdressers and barbers could offer a lifeline to sufferers of domestic abuse who confide in them during a haircut, with a new and free council webinar.
The chat between the person holding the scissors or clippers and a client is sacrosanct and ranges from the frippery of holidays and nights out to very personal discussions around money and family life.
Open for the first time today (Monday 6 July) since the pandemic lockdown, those working in salons may discover some of their clients confide in them about the behaviour they have endured. Clients may act differently or have the tell-tale signs of abuse with bruises or red marks on the head, neck and shoulders.
In the UK one in four women and one in six men experience domestic abuse. Two women are murdered each week, and three take their own lives.
Slough Borough Council is offering specialist training to hairdressers and barbers to spot the signs of domestic abuse and what to do next.
Not only can clients confide in the person doing their hair but the confidential advice about how to access help with either local or national charities is trusted.
The webinar training lasts just 50 minutes and could lead to a client getting the help they need and deserve.
Cllr Mohammed Nazir, cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “This training can potentially save lives.
“Men and women relax once having their hair done and often confide in their hairdressers about their relationship issues.
“Some hairdressers have actually seen marks on clients shoulders and necks and would like to feel more confident in asking about domestic abuse and how to help.”
The free webinars will take place on Monday 27 July at 2pm and 7pm.
The webinars are for hairdressers, barbers and stylists working in the Slough area can be booked by emailing details to corletta.rolle@slough.gov.uk. Participants will receive a training certificate.
The chat between the person holding the scissors or clippers and a client is sacrosanct and ranges from the frippery of holidays and nights out to very personal discussions around money and family life.
Open for the first time today (Monday 6 July) since the pandemic lockdown, those working in salons may discover some of their clients confide in them about the behaviour they have endured. Clients may act differently or have the tell-tale signs of abuse with bruises or red marks on the head, neck and shoulders.
In the UK one in four women and one in six men experience domestic abuse. Two women are murdered each week, and three take their own lives.
Slough Borough Council is offering specialist training to hairdressers and barbers to spot the signs of domestic abuse and what to do next.
Not only can clients confide in the person doing their hair but the confidential advice about how to access help with either local or national charities is trusted.
The webinar training lasts just 50 minutes and could lead to a client getting the help they need and deserve.
Cllr Mohammed Nazir, cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “This training can potentially save lives.
“Men and women relax once having their hair done and often confide in their hairdressers about their relationship issues.
“Some hairdressers have actually seen marks on clients shoulders and necks and would like to feel more confident in asking about domestic abuse and how to help.”
The free webinars will take place on Monday 27 July at 2pm and 7pm.
The webinars are for hairdressers, barbers and stylists working in the Slough area can be booked by emailing details to corletta.rolle@slough.gov.uk. Participants will receive a training certificate.
