Did you know that one woman is killed through family violence every week?*
It was this revelation, and a number of equivelently harrowing statistics that formed the basis for this year’s Safe Hands seminar, presented as part of Hair Expo’s 2018 schedule.
The premise? Equip hairdressers with necessary tools for both identifying and supporting clients who are experiencing family violence of any capacity.
“Hairdressers really do have the power to put clients on the right track to a happier life,” said organiser Leanne Cutler.
“Seeing the bruises or learning of a client’s horrific situation is not an everyday occurrence but when it happens, being prepared to know how to respond and what to do next could change or even save a life.”
Hairdressers from across Australia and New Zealand flocked to Melbourne for the half-hour-long seminar that featured panelists Jenny Jackson (EDVOS), Amelia Stone (Safe Steps), Natasha King (Fred’s Hair New Zealand and It’s Not OK Ambassador), Jenni Tarrant (Bond Hair Religion, anti-abuse trainer and counsellor) and Zoe Wilde (Zoe Wilde Hair Artistry, anti-violence campaigner and fundraiser).
Shortly thereafter, the seminar was made accessible for streaming via social media, attracting 200 subsequent views and an additional 600 (and counting) following its initial post date. (View the full Safe Hands seminar here.)
Key details of the seminar were shared via live interviews with ABC Radio National and Channel 9 Australia alongside a nationally televised broadcast on the Today Show.
“The attendance and online response proves that hairdressers need and want to know how to handle a situation in salon when the client is in need because of violence at home,” Leanne continued.
“Just yesterday I heard from a hairdresser who had a client die at the hands of her ex-partner. Sadly, it really does happen and hairdressers want to sleep at night knowing that they’ve said and done the right thing”.
At present, the Eastern Domestic Violence Service runs a free training initiative for salon professionals through the Victorian State grant and is currently campaigning for federal funding so as to facilitate an Australia-wide training program.
Delivered to 150 hairdressers across Victoria, the Hair-3Rs (Recognise, Respond and Refer) program aims to provide salon professionals with increased knowledge, confidence and skills in the supporting of clients who are experiencing family related violence.
Hairdressers looking to partake in the Melbourne program or express interest in impending national initiatives are encouraged to contact Mandy Hudson at EDVOS on 03 9259 4282 or via email at mandyh@edvos.org.au.
*Source: ourwatch.org.au