Professionals from the hair and beauty industry are participating in an initiative to persuade victims of sexual and domestic violence to seek help.
Cardiff Council has launched an initiative to work with barbers, hairdressers, and beauticians across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan to tackle domestic violence.
From April 2020 to May 2021, more than 42,000 instances of domestic violence were reported in Wales, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Around 650 hair and beauty businesses have been asked for information. Participants are trained to look for possible signs of domestic abuse and refer any client who needs assistance to local support services, such as Welsh Women’s Aid and FOR Cardiff.
However, not everyone in the hair and beauty industry agrees that this plan can encourage victims trapped in abusive relationships to talk about their sufferings.
John Croad has been a barber for eleven years. He says he is optimistic about the plan. “It’s another route. Not necessarily, people do have fear talking to medical professionals, doctors, or people within the sort of industry.
“So, it’s a separate voice to listen to, to maybe to unload something, to be comfortable at, to maybe to seek help elsewhere then to talk about your problems.”
Cardiff Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Care, Health and Wellbeing, Susan Elsmore, says this initiative is helpful. “By providing these resources, we are equipping people in these roles not only with the right information they need to be able to direct and encourage a client to access the appropriate help, but also a better awareness of how to deal with the issue.
“The initial response that a victim receives to disclosing their experiences can make a significant difference to their approach to seeking help.”
While some are please about the Council’s initiative, a hairdresser has a different point of view about this. Rebecca Thomas is worried about misjudging the situation. “I personally don’t think it’s a good idea because clients put trust in us.
“How can you tell if someone comes in with a bruise, that’s domestic violence? You report something that is completely out of what you think that is, and then you’ve completely broken your trust with that client because you’ve just gone and said it’s something that’s not. “
Cardiff Council sends hair and beauty businesses information packs to raise awareness of victims suffering from domestic abuse. In addition, the Welsh government offers free online training programs to teach people to spot signs of abuse.
Cardiff Council send hair and beauty businesses information packs to raise awareness of victims suffering from domestic abuse. The councils is also working with the Welsh government to offer free online training programs to teach people to spot signs of abuse.