Hairdressers and beauticians to help in fight against domestic abuse

These sessions are designed to help people who work in this industry to recognise signs of domestic abuse from their clients, as well as teach them what to do if a client discloses instances of domestic abuse.

A spokesperson for the Belfast Domestic and Sexual Violence Partnership said: “For many people who are experiencing domestic abuse, hairdressers and beauty salons are safe spaces where they are at ease with the stylists they trust.

“Salon professionals are in a unique position to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse in their clients.

“We believe salon professionals can become invaluable and influential community partners in reducing the impact of domestic abuse.”

In 2019/20 the PSNI responded to 31,817 incidents of domestic abuse, this equates to one every 17 minutes. Yet, the majority of domestic abuse goes unreported.

With Covid 19, the PSNI reported almost 2,000 domestic abuse calls were made during the first three weeks of lockdown.

The Partnership also pointed out that Northern Ireland has the highest domestic homicide figures per population in Europe.

The sessions for hairdressers and beauticians are aimed at enabling participants to recognise domestic abuse; know how to respond to disclosure and know where to signpost for specialist support. Participating salons will receive a free resource pack.

The sessions have been funded by the Belfast Policing and Community Safety Partnership.

The new initiative comes as a new Bill - the Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill - makes its way through the NI Assembly. The Bill will make coercive and controlling behaviours an offence in Northern Ireland.

Examples of coercive contol include: being stopped from working or going to school/college/university; having money taken away or controlled; being isolated from friends and family; having access to food, drinks and day-to-day products restricted; having their social media accounts monitored or controlled; being told what they should wear; being threatened with violence if they do not behave in a certain way; having threats made to loved ones or pets.

The sessions for hairdressers and beauticians will take place over Zoom, with five sessions available for different areas of Belfast (Monday, October 5, Belfast East; Monday October 12, Belfast West; Monday, October 19, Belfast North; Monday October 26, Belfast South; and Monday, November 2, for wider Belfast).

To book or for more information email: [email protected] The 24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Abuse Helpline (managed by Nexus) is available on freephone 0808 802 1414. .