Good/Bad Idea: Domestic Abuse: The Hairstylist’s Chair

[Tennesseer]

A New Front Against Domestic Abuse: The Hairstylist’s Chair

In the two decades that Angela Smith has been a hairstylist in Chicago, she has heard countless intimate stories from the women who have sat in her chair. Most times the banter is carefree. But sometimes, there are whispers of mistreatment by spouses or partners, of being choked, chased or emotionally abused.

“They say that the hairdresser gets all the secrets,” Ms. Brown said. “They let go here. Everybody doesn’t talk, but once you build a relationship with someone, that’s when it happens. It’s just like when you have a best girlfriend.”

A new state rule taking effect on Jan. 1 recognizes that the unique relationship between hairdressers and their customers may help curb domestic abuse and sexual assault. The amendment to a law that governs the cosmetology industry will require salon workers to take one hour of training every two years to recognize the signs of abuse and assault and will provide them with a list of resources to which they can refer clients for help.

Without the training, cosmetologists in Illinois will not be able to renew their licenses. The professionals covered by the law — believed to be the first in the nation — include hairstylists, nail technicians and aestheticians.

Complete article here: A New Front Against Domestic Abuse: The Hairstylist’s Chair

Personally, I think it is a good idea.

[MJ2.0]

I feel like this is something that people should be doing anyway.

[alabamagal]

I don't think it should be a law.  But I think it would be a good thing to provide the information to cosmetologists or spread the information in other ways.

[Lizard Queen]

It's a nice thing to do, but really has nothing to do with their area of expertise, so requiring it for a license seems like an overreach.

[Phoenix84]

Not a bad idea, but I'm not I agree with it being required for certification.  Simple training would be sufficient.

[movingforward]

All people should probably be trained to recognize the signs of abuse; however, making it a law for hairdressers to get their license seems moronic IMHO.  This is one of those laws that is meant to be a good thing but receiving one hour of training every two years certainly isn't going to make anyone an expert on abuse.  While the idea is for them to just be able to recognize the signs of abuse, I wonder how many will start to deem themselves an expert on the subject.  I have known people who do this sort of thing...they attend an hour long seminar on something and all of the sudden they think they know as much as the person who studied it for 7 years. 

[chiver78]

are they going to then require the stylists to be mandatory reporters? 

the education is a great idea, but the law is a bad over-reach. 

[Tennesseer]

Dec 16, 2016 14:30:42 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

are they going to then require the stylists to be mandatory reporters? 

the education is a great idea, but the law is a bad over-reach. 

No. No required reporting. Only offer lists of resources. And even then, no one will ever know if they did or did not offer the resources.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

It's well intentioned but I think has the potential to be messy. Even trained medical professionals make mistakes, how well are you going to do with one hour of training?

To me if they wanted to do something it'd make more sense to add hair dressers to the mandatory reporter list.

[Tennesseer]

Dec 16, 2016 13:58:45 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

It's a nice thing to do, but really has nothing to do with their area of expertise, so requiring it for a license seems like an overreach.

On the surface if may not seem like it is in their area of expertise, but if the customer starts talking about or the hairstylists notices bruises around the face or neck, that might be an issue the hairstylist might raise with the customer.

[quince]

Laws governing cosmetology industry.

This is one of those....industries that have a ridiculous barrier to entry for what they are, right?  Needing a license to be a nail technician? I can see having a license to own, and having hygienic standards enforced, but seems excessive. I LOVE the ideas of the courses, and would just love to see corporations that have customer-facing folk in service positions have that kind of training regularly but requiring it for employment...who is giving the courses and how much will they cost is generally my question.

Should include make-up artists, at the least. If someone comes in asking for advice on how to hide bruises isn't that where they'd go? All heavy duty concealer sales need to be registered  with government ID like pseudoephedrine products?

But I do like the idea of opt-in training on that kind of thing.

[Lizard Queen]

Dec 16, 2016 14:34:58 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Dec 16, 2016 13:58:45 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

It's a nice thing to do, but really has nothing to do with their area of expertise, so requiring it for a license seems like an overreach.

On the surface if may not seem like it is in their area of expertise, but if the customer starts talking about or the hairstylists notices bruises around the face or neck, that might be an issue the hairstylist might raise with the customer.

It's yet another barrier to entry, and another burden/hoop to jump through for an otherwise simple service business.  Just because some may be privy to this information does not mean that it is fair to impose yet another burden on these people who aren't counselors.  I've heard it argued that requiring a license at all for this profession is an overreach, so adding to the current requirements would be even more so.  If they are looking for ways to help, then those that are looking to help can be provided that information, but to have someone who does this for their livelihood to jump through this hoop 20 times out of a 40 year career seems a bit asinine, to tell you the truth.

[Chocolate Lover]

It makes me wonder if some of the women will just clam up like they do with so many other professions that they know they'd get a lecture from. 

[giramomma]

Well, I think it's OK.

Right now, the only places I see where domestic violence directed towards women actively discussed is at my OB/GYNs office (only useful if you are pregnant and have heath insurance) or a messageboard on babycenter.

Planned Parenthoods, as a source of information for women, are going to be a thing of the past.

I'm looking at what resources the community center my church sponsor has for domestic violence education...and there's nothing to help you decide "should I get out if my partner is phyiscally hurting me" or "Should I get out because my partner doesn't want me to work and will not give me access to a bank account or credit car, or keys to the car.."

There's plenty of resources for a woman AFTER she decides to leave...but from what I see, many don't know IF they should leave.

[swamp]

Around here, the domestic violence shelter hangs up flyers in the women's bathrooms in restaurants and bars.

They have a quick checklist of "what is domestic violence" stressing that it's not just physical, and they have the contact information.

[Deleted]

I think it's fine.  I also think they should go one step further.  As a mandatory reporter of child abuse, I am legally protected in case I am wrong.  I think they should also be legally protected.

A lot of these women are really isolated.  They aren't going to doctors or ERs.  But I'm guessing they get to go to hairstylists, etc. to get prettied up to please their abusers.

I'm all for what helps.  The courses should be free (and probably are).  But requiring a little training isn't that big a deal.

You guys have no idea how much training teachers have to do on a wide variety of stuff.  Hours and hours, none of which count toward continuing education.  A lot of it is non-classroom related, but we are who see kids every day.  So we are one of the first lines of defense.

That's the way it is, apparently, with hair stylists.  So, yes, get the information out that will help them help others.

[Tennesseer]

Dec 16, 2016 15:42:37 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Dec 16, 2016 14:34:58 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

On the surface if may not seem like it is in their area of expertise, but if the customer starts talking about or the hairstylists notices bruises around the face or neck, that might be an issue the hairstylist might raise with the customer.

It's yet another barrier to entry, and another burden/hoop to jump through for an otherwise simple service business.  Just because some may be privy to this information does not mean that it is fair to impose yet another burden on these people who aren't counselors.  I've heard it argued that requiring a license at all for this profession is an overreach, so adding to the current requirements would be even more so.  If they are looking for ways to help, then those that are looking to help can be provided that information, but to have someone who does this for their livelihood to jump through this hoop 20 times out of a 40 year career seems a bit asinine, to tell you the truth.

Not that hard to hand out a business card-sized piece of paper with the name of an agency which can offer help to the person. The customer can take it the slip of paper or leave it. No counseling of the customer required by the hairdresser.

[tskeeter]

Dec 16, 2016 13:00:21 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

A New Front Against Domestic Abuse: The Hairstylist’s Chair

In the two decades that Angela Smith has been a hairstylist in Chicago, she has heard countless intimate stories from the women who have sat in her chair. Most times the banter is carefree. But sometimes, there are whispers of mistreatment by spouses or partners, of being choked, chased or emotionally abused.

“They say that the hairdresser gets all the secrets,” Ms. Brown said. “They let go here. Everybody doesn’t talk, but once you build a relationship with someone, that’s when it happens. It’s just like when you have a best girlfriend.”

A new state rule taking effect on Jan. 1 recognizes that the unique relationship between hairdressers and their customers may help curb domestic abuse and sexual assault. The amendment to a law that governs the cosmetology industry will require salon workers to take one hour of training every two years to recognize the signs of abuse and assault and will provide them with a list of resources to which they can refer clients for help.

Without the training, cosmetologists in Illinois will not be able to renew their licenses. The professionals covered by the law — believed to be the first in the nation — include hairstylists, nail technicians and aestheticians.

Complete article here: A New Front Against Domestic Abuse: The Hairstylist’s Chair

Personally, I think it is a good idea.

While this sounds like a great idea, getting resource information to abused women.  However, it does make my antennae twitch.  I wonder how soon hairdressers will be legally required to report any possibility of abuse in the same fashion that Doctors, teachers, and others are required to report the possibility of child abuse.  And it causes me to wonder how the culture of reporting on your neighbors, relatives, acquaintances, competitors and adversaries began in the Soviet Union.  How soon will we be legally obligated to report on our customers and others?

[giramomma]

Dec 16, 2016 18:07:51 GMT -5 @sroo4 said:

I guess even if I suspected one of my clients was a DV victim,  is a salon the best place to be giving them pamphlets and information?   How would that work?  "Have you tried this new shampoo?  Oh here's some information about domestic violence in case you need it"

Having been in a position where vulnerable people open up to me, it doesn't go like that...it goes something like this (this was an actual conversation with an 8th grade girl prior to rehearsal starting)

Me: Did you have a good weekend?
Girl: Yes, I had a good weekend. Friday night was a little rough though.
Me: Want to talk about it?
Girl: One girl was drinking pretty badly. She was throwing up and getting ready to pass out. I knew her garage door code, so that's how we got her in her house.
Me: Where were your friends' parents?
Girl: They went out for the night.
Me: You know, drinking like that can be pretty dangerous. Your friend is lucky to have you. You know I'm XX (I've forgotten how old I was now), and I don't need to drink to have a good time.
Girl: (Says nothing, but is clearly thinking about this and looks a like lightbulb may have gone off..)
Me: This is a conversation you really ought to be having with your parents. Please make sure you talk to them about this.

[Tennesseer]

Dec 16, 2016 18:08:45 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

Dec 16, 2016 13:00:21 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

A New Front Against Domestic Abuse: The Hairstylist’s Chair

In the two decades that Angela Smith has been a hairstylist in Chicago, she has heard countless intimate stories from the women who have sat in her chair. Most times the banter is carefree. But sometimes, there are whispers of mistreatment by spouses or partners, of being choked, chased or emotionally abused.

“They say that the hairdresser gets all the secrets,” Ms. Brown said. “They let go here. Everybody doesn’t talk, but once you build a relationship with someone, that’s when it happens. It’s just like when you have a best girlfriend.”

A new state rule taking effect on Jan. 1 recognizes that the unique relationship between hairdressers and their customers may help curb domestic abuse and sexual assault. The amendment to a law that governs the cosmetology industry will require salon workers to take one hour of training every two years to recognize the signs of abuse and assault and will provide them with a list of resources to which they can refer clients for help.

Without the training, cosmetologists in Illinois will not be able to renew their licenses. The professionals covered by the law — believed to be the first in the nation — include hairstylists, nail technicians and aestheticians.

Complete article here: A New Front Against Domestic Abuse: The Hairstylist’s Chair

Personally, I think it is a good idea.

While this sounds like a great idea, getting resource information to abused women.  However, it does make my antennae twitch.  I wonder how soon hairdressers will be legally required to report any possibility of abuse in the same fashion that Doctors, teachers, and others are required to report the possibility of child abuse.  And it causes me to wonder how the culture of reporting on your neighbors, relatives, acquaintances, competitors and adversaries began in the Soviet Union.  How soon will we be legally obligated to report on our customers and others?

It's my understanding that reporting possible abuse to authorities was in the original bill. The current bill is a compromise as opposed to just throwing it out.

I don't see the law becoming more severe (hairdressers must call the police). As it is, the hairdressers don't even have to mentioning anything to their customers if they don't want to get involved.

As for the one-hour training every two years regarding domestic abuse, I have no idea what the training will involve but one hour of training every two years which could save a customer's life or even their own or another family member's life, is not unreasonable.

[tskeeter]

Dec 16, 2016 18:21:55 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Dec 16, 2016 18:08:45 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

While this sounds like a great idea, getting resource information to abused women.  However, it does make my antennae twitch.  I wonder how soon hairdressers will be legally required to report any possibility of abuse in the same fashion that Doctors, teachers, and others are required to report the possibility of child abuse.  And it causes me to wonder how the culture of reporting on your neighbors, relatives, acquaintances, competitors and adversaries began in the Soviet Union.  How soon will we be legally obligated to report on our customers and others?

It's my understanding that reporting possible abuse to authorities was in the original bill. The current bill is a compromise as opposed to just throwing it out.

I don't see the law becoming more severe (hairdressers must call the police). As it is, the hairdressers don't even have to mentioning anything to their customers if they don't want to get involved.

As for the one-hour training every two years regarding domestic abuse, I have no idea what the training will involve but one hour of training every two years which could save a customer's life or even their own or another family member's life, is not unreasonable.

I certainly don't have a problem with the personal care industry deciding to offer awareness training to it's members.  It's the prospect of government required reporting that I have an issue with.  When and where do such requirements stop?  Will your accountant be required to report that you made a comment that might possibly indicate that your tax return may not be 100% accurate?  Will the liquor store be required to report that you purchase an "excessive" amount of alcohol?  Will the sporting goods store be required to report that you purchased equipment to participate in "risky" activities, such as scuba diving or sky diving, as they currently have to report your gun (and in CA, ammunition) purchases?  If not, how soon will our failure to report customers, neighbors, family memeets, etc. subject us to government sanctions and prosecution?

[Tennesseer]

Dec 16, 2016 20:57:16 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

Dec 16, 2016 18:21:55 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

It's my understanding that reporting possible abuse to authorities was in the original bill. The current bill is a compromise as opposed to just throwing it out.

I don't see the law becoming more severe (hairdressers must call the police). As it is, the hairdressers don't even have to mentioning anything to their customers if they don't want to get involved.

As for the one-hour training every two years regarding domestic abuse, I have no idea what the training will involve but one hour of training every two years which could save a customer's life or even their own or another family member's life, is not unreasonable.

I certainly don't have a problem with the personal care industry deciding to offer awareness training to it's members.  It's the prospect of government required reporting that I have an issue with.  When and where do such requirements stop?  Will your accountant be required to report that you made a comment that might possibly indicate that your tax return may not be 100% accurate?  Will the liquor store be required to report that you purchase an "excessive" amount of alcohol?  Will the sporting goods store be required to report that you purchased equipment to participate in "risky" activities, such as scuba diving or sky diving, as they currently have to report your gun (and in CA, ammunition) purchases?  If not, how soon will our failure to report subject us to government sanctions and prosecution?

Not sure why you focus on reporting when this Illinois law does not require anyone to report anything. I am focused on this law only.

[tskeeter]

Dec 16, 2016 21:09:24 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Dec 16, 2016 20:57:16 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

I certainly don't have a problem with the personal care industry deciding to offer awareness training to it's members.  It's the prospect of government required reporting that I have an issue with.  When and where do such requirements stop?  Will your accountant be required to report that you made a comment that might possibly indicate that your tax return may not be 100% accurate?  Will the liquor store be required to report that you purchase an "excessive" amount of alcohol?  Will the sporting goods store be required to report that you purchased equipment to participate in "risky" activities, such as scuba diving or sky diving, as they currently have to report your gun (and in CA, ammunition) purchases?  If not, how soon will our failure to report subject us to government sanctions and prosecution?

Not sure why you focus on reporting when this Illinois law does not require anyone to report anything. I am focused on this law only.

I focused on reporting because you indicated that you understood the original proposed legislation did include a reporting requirement.  That a reporting requirement was included in the original proposal shows that at least some legislators are in favor of requiring reporting to "authorities" in this, and quite likely, other similar situations.  Over the decades, such reporting requirements would probably increase, just as other government regulations have proliferated during my lifetime.

[Lizard Queen]

Dec 16, 2016 17:27:04 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Dec 16, 2016 15:42:37 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

It's yet another barrier to entry, and another burden/hoop to jump through for an otherwise simple service business.  Just because some may be privy to this information does not mean that it is fair to impose yet another burden on these people who aren't counselors.  I've heard it argued that requiring a license at all for this profession is an overreach, so adding to the current requirements would be even more so.  If they are looking for ways to help, then those that are looking to help can be provided that information, but to have someone who does this for their livelihood to jump through this hoop 20 times out of a 40 year career seems a bit asinine, to tell you the truth.

Not that hard to hand out a business card-sized piece of paper with the name of an agency which can offer help to the person. The customer can take it the slip of paper or leave it. No counseling of the customer required by the hairdresser.

You know what would be easier and less burdensome on the hairstylists?  Require display of a poster/pamphlets about resources.  If a stylist thinks it might be applicable, could just point it out.  Training implies being able to spot signs of abuse, which is something a counselor or healthcare provider would do.  They're just there to do hair/nails.  I think it's unfair to put it on them.  Don't police say that the most dangerous calls are domestic abuse calls?  Great, put someone completely unrelated into the middle of that shit.  Nothing could possible go wrong there.

[msventoux]

I think it's a bit idiotic and overreaching, unless they want to make them mandatory reporters.  One hour every two years isn't going to turn them into counselors, and I would have to think that the money spent enforcing this could be better spent in other areas. 

If they want to reach out to the people who frequent salons, why aren't they focusing their efforts on outreach to the salon owners?  Provide salon owners free literature that they can display at the counter, bathrooms, styling stations, etc. that list the available resources.  Forcing the burden of additional education on the cosmetologists just seems like a money grab. 

[Tennesseer]

Dec 16, 2016 21:19:44 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

Dec 16, 2016 21:09:24 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Not sure why you focus on reporting when this Illinois law does not require anyone to report anything. I am focused on this law only.

I focused on reporting because you indicated that you understood the original proposed legislation did include a reporting requirement.  That a reporting requirement was included in the original proposal shows that at least some legislators are in favor of requiring reporting to "authorities" in this, and quite likely, other similar situations.  Over the decades, such reporting requirements would probably increase, just as other government regulations have proliferated during my lifetime.

I did. And while I am not going back to check, I believe I wrote the bill only passed because the reporting part was taken out of the law. And that is the max I believe it should be.

[Tennesseer]

Dec 16, 2016 21:20:41 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Dec 16, 2016 17:27:04 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Not that hard to hand out a business card-sized piece of paper with the name of an agency which can offer help to the person. The customer can take it the slip of paper or leave it. No counseling of the customer required by the hairdresser.

You know what would be easier and less burdensome on the hairstylists?  Require display of a poster/pamphlets about resources.  If a stylist thinks it might be applicable, could just point it out.  Training implies being able to spot signs of abuse, which is something a counselor or healthcare provider would do.  They're just there to do hair/nails.  I think it's unfair to put it on them.  Don't police say that the most dangerous calls are domestic abuse calls?  Great, put someone completely unrelated into the middle of that shit.  Nothing could possible go wrong there.

I imagine what you said about displays in the shops will also be part of the program.

[formerroomate99]

Seems like a good idea in theory.  But who's going to pay for it (both the training and the hairdresser's time)?  Your average Great Clips hairdresser is rolling in the dough.  It seems unfair to make them spend money and time on this.  

[Shooby]

  Reporting abuse of children is one thing.  Reporting domestic violence is another.  Many times these women go back over and over, drop charges, etc.  So, reporting on other adults doesn't seem like it's going to work anyway.   I think it would be OK be able to call a hotline voluntarily.  But, mandatory reporting seems ridiculous.

[wvugurl26]

I had a conversation about the type of thing the other day. Every time I go to the doctor now, they ask I feel safe in my living situation. My question is if I say no what can they do to help me? I feel like this is more of the same. I do believe it's a big problem but I'm not sure the things we are doing really help. It seems like more of a check the box thing and we pat ourselves on the back for doing our part.