A hair salon could save someone’s life

Domestic violence is one of those things that everyone has heard about, but many don’t like to talk about. It’s also something that most people have experienced or know someone who has. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced physical violence by an intimate partner.

Despite how common domestic violence is, it’s one of the most underreported crimes because the victim often feels embarrassed, fears retaliation from their abuser, still feels love for their abuser, or they feel like they have no one to turn to for help.

Law enforcement and victim advocates work tirelessly to educate people on domestic violence and resources for victims.

When it comes to domestic violence intervention, people tend to think of emergency hotlines, 911 calls and women’s shelters. But what if there were more options?

What if I told you hair salons can, and should, be added to that list?

Current points of intervention

Currently, there are a few things a person can do if they are experiencing domestic violence.

They can call 911 and have the police come to file a report. Sometimes this leads to their abuser getting arrested, while other times there’s not enough evidence for the police to make an arrest. Even when they do get arrested, the abuser is often able to pay their bail and is released within 24 hours.

This can lead to extreme danger for the victim, which is often why the victim doesn’t want to call 911 in the first place.

People can also call a domestic violence emergency hotline and receive victim services without involving the police. These services can include medical treatment, emergency shelter, and mental health services.

Another point of intervention can be doctor’s offices or emergency departments. As part of the requirements set by The Joint Commission, medical offices are supposed to screen for domestic violence by asking their patients questions that gauge the level of safety they feel at home.

The issue with this is that many medical offices are overwhelmed and understaffed, so the screening can get overlooked. Oftentimes, when the screening is conducted, it’s conducted with the person’s abuser in the same room with them.

It’s not out of the norm for a person’s significant other to be at a doctor’s visit with them. Even if the medical professional gets a feeling that something may be going on and asks to see the patient privately, the patient may be too afraid to talk because they know their abuser is outside waiting for them.

While all of these things have been instrumental in the fight against domestic violence, they’re not always the best option.

We need to start thinking outside the box.

How a hair salon can be a new point of intervention

As someone who worked in domestic violence prevention and intervention, I always get excited about potential new ways to help domestic violence victims.

There’s no single point of intervention that will help everyone. It takes a village to best help domestic violence victims. Many different types of organizations, professions, and individuals have to collaborate and work together.

If we can find as many avenues as possible to be a point of contact for a domestic violence victim, especially ones that are outside of the box,  we can help exponentially more people leave an abusive relationship.

That’s exactly what a hair salon is. Another avenue.

Unless they can cut their own hair, or know someone that can do it for them, most people have been to a hair salon.

This is also true for domestic violence victims, even if their abuser constantly monitors their movement or behavior. It’s common for an abuser to want their partner to keep themselves looking well put together. They’ll give their partner enough money to get their hair done on a semi-regular basis.

Unlike a doctor’s office, however, most abusers won’t actually go into the salon with their partner. They don’t want anything to look suspicious in public, and most people don’t take their partner with them when they go to the salon. Plus, they simply don’t want to be sitting around doing nothing for an hour or more while their partner gets their hair done.

This means the hair salon may very well be the only time a domestic violence victim is away from their abuser. It's also a location that wouldn't look suspicious if an abuser tracks their victim through something like the "find my phone" feature on most smartphones.

Also, hairstylists are one of the few people that have ample opportunity to see someone’s neck and scalp up close. They have a higher chance of seeing bruises or other injuries on a client’s head or neck. They also may see petechiae, which are tiny red or brown spots due to bleeding under the skin from broken blood vessels, in or around the eyes or on their face or neck that could indicate strangulation.

Finally, people tell their hairstylists more about their personal lives than they tell their friends and family. I mean, what else is there to do except talk while they’re sitting in that chair unable to go anywhere?

Some people may come right out and tell their hairstylist that their partner is abusing them. Sometimes it’s easier for a victim to tell someone about the abuse who isn’t in their personal circle. It can be really hard to talk about something like domestic violence to a family member or a close friend because there’s fear of being judged or not believed.

Some people may be too scared to actually disclose the abuse, but there may be some red flags that a stylist could pick up on.

For example, a client may say a bruise is from falling down the stairs. If this happens once, it’s probably what really happened. If the client is saying this or something similar time after time, there may be something more going on.

All of these things make hair salons a perfect point of intervention and place for= distributing information about resources to victims.

Steps a hair salon can take

So, how does a salon make sure it is fully equipped to help clients experience domestic violence?

One of the simplest things they can do is have a stock of pamphlets and brochures for local organizations and emergency services throughout the salon. One of the best places these can be kept is in the bathroom because it is easy for someone to grab one and stash it away in their pocket, their shoe, or somewhere else their abuser won’t find it.

Another step is to form a working relationship with the local police department and domestic violence agency. By getting to know the professionals doing the work, it’s easier for hairstylists to refer clients to those who can best help them.

Forming a close relationship with the local domestic violence agency can also be helpful because when someone discloses abuse to their stylist and wants to receive help, the salon can even function as a place for a victim advocate to go and meet with them since it's a location that won't look suspicious to their abuser.

Finally, it’s crucial for hairstylists to attend a yearly domestic violence training, starting when they are in cosmetology school. This way, they know exactly what to look for and how to help.

A few states have already passed laws requiring training for hairstylists.

Arkansas, for instance, now requires all cosmetology students to receive a 1-hour training on domestic violence and sexual assault.

Illinois passed a bill stating that anyone seeking a new license or license renewal as a barber, cosmetologist, esthetician, hair braider, or nail technician has to complete a domestic violence and sexual assault training.

Even a 1-hour training where they learn the red flags to look out for, physical signs of abuse, and how to appropriately have a conversation with someone who is being abused can be helpful.

For example, it’s important for hairstylists to understand that just because someone discloses that they are being abused doesn’t mean they are ready to leave their abuser.

Their client could just be trying to see what their options are, or they may just want someone to know what’s going on so they feel as though they have a lifeline if or when they need it.

An abusive relationship becomes the most dangerous for the victim when they are trying to leave their abuser. This is the point their abuser feels like they are losing control over them and may become more violent than ever.

It’s not anyone’s job to tell the person they need to leave their abuser. It is people’s job to be a point of support and encouragement when the person finally decides on their own to leave. The more supported they feel, the more likely they are to make the decision to leave.

Final Thoughts

Hair salons are perfectly positioned to be a point of intervention for domestic violence victims. Hairstylists get personal and up close face-to-face time alone with their clients, which makes them able to pick up on the red flags of domestic violence.

Hairstylists also already take continuing education classes to keep up with the latest hair trends, so including a domestic violence training would be minimal added effort. This would ensure that hairstylists know what to look for and know best practices for interacting with domestic violence victims.

While they have indeed been helpful, current avenues for domestic violence victims to reach out to for services aren’t always the best option for some people. This is why it’s important to make sure there are as many avenues for victims as possible. Hair salons are just another avenue.

What are some other unsuspecting places we can start using as a resource for domestic violence victims?