A new state law aims to help domestic violence victims by requiring beauty professionals to receive one hour of domestic abuse recognition training.
Genesis House Project Manager Denise Dillon said that the initiative will be key in saving lives. She said that most of the time, abuse will be in areas that aren’t typically visible like on the head.
“You know someone’s cutting your hair or anything like that, they’re going to see that while they’re cutting your hair,” Dillon said. “And it’s going to give them the opportunity to talk, to ask questions. And whenever you’re sitting in a hair salon get your hair done, you’re relaxed, you’re talking, you make a relationship with that person, they may be able to help that person.”
Dillon said that the initiative will bring more awareness to domestic abuse red flags. She said that those red flags include an individual acting scared, having low self-esteem, or the inability to make decisions.
Dillon said that with domestic abuse cases rapidly increasing, anything that can be done to help in those situations is a huge help. She said that she thinks more trainings should be held.
“I do understand that whenever you’re in any organization and another training comes out, it’s a bummer,” Dillon said. “I understand with my role, I have a lot of training that I have to do. But this is saving someone’s life. We’re not talking about someone not having a place to live, we’re changing their life. they may not be here tomorrow, they may be buried in a hold in the backyard tomorrow. But when it comes to saving someone’s life, there is nothing more important.”
The law will require licensed Tennessee beauty professionals to complete up to one hour of anti-domestic violence training either in person or online, at no cost. Licensees are not required to become mandatory domestic violence reporters. Licensees have between 2022-2024 to complete the approved training. Students and instructors in cosmetology schools will need to certify they have taken the training before receiving their license.
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