Cut it OutMost women have someone cut, trim, style or colour their hair a few times each year. Professional hairdressers are often the people we talk to about our family, workplace, children, frustrations and joys. For most women a salon is a safe place to relax, unwind and be pampered. Hairdressers often enjoy this close connection with their customer for many years and it isn't unusual for us to have a 'favourite' hairdresser who listens to our grizzles and woes. However hairdressers will sometimes hear more than they bargained for. Sometimes they will witness excessive and controlling behaviour by partners, or women will drop hints that they have an abusive partner. |
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Hairdressers become 'accidental counsellors' when they learn a woman is a victim of domestic abuse. Most hairdressers have never had training on how to cope with this information or where to refer women for help.
The Cut it Out project developed by Lismore & District Women's Health Centre Inc. aims to reduce domestic abuse of women and children in the Lismore area. It will provide education and training for the staff of local hairdressing salons in the Lismore area, Nimbin and the hairdressing students at Wollongbar TAFE. Cut it Out will provide training on how to recognise signs of domestic abuse and how to respond appropriately to women when they tell their story. Its also aims to support and up-skill hairdressers in self care issues in their role as 'accidental counsellors'.
This innovative project will raise awareness about the prevalence of domestic abuse in our community while providing an opportunity for salons to help reduce the incidence of domestic abuse of local women and children in our area.
Each salon that participates in the Cut it Out project will receive attractive wallet-sized information cards for salon customers with information on where they can go to get help. Salons will also receive follow up support with information packs containing information about local services that help women and children affected by domestic abuse.
The Cut it Out project was launched as part of the celebration for International Women's Day on Thursday 6th March 2008, and has received positive interest nation-wide. Salons interested in participating in the project are urged to contact the Lismore & District Women's Health Centre on 02 6621 9800.