A cut above: New Tennessee law requires different kind of training for stylists, barbers - WTVC

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Starting on New Year's Day, barbers and hairstylists in Tennessee will be required to undergo a new form of training.

But it has nothing to do with cutting hair.

Professionals will be trained on how to respond and what resources are available to help domestic abuse victims. The new law will include one hour of in-person or online training conducted by a non-profit.

It's something some stylists have seen already.

Close with their clients, hair stylists and barbers are often the first to hear about problems at home, and their interactions with clients could save lives.

"It might seem out of place, but if you do work with hair you know that there's a lot more to the job," stylist Abby Bolden told us.

She added, "Sometimes stylists are the only people that the victim or survivor is allowed to spend time with or speak with privately, so we're that gateway for them to think about leaving.

Tennessee ranks ninth in the nation in domestic violence homicides, and with increased isolations due to COVID-19, the state had nearly 70,000 domestic violence cases this past year.

“The issue of domestic violence is by no means a novel problem in American society,” said TBI Director David Rausch. “The persistence of domestic violence and the large number of related incidents reported to law enforcement necessitate continued awareness about this issue.”

Regina McDevitt works the Family Justice Center in Chattanooga, an organization offering to train hairstylists on communicating with these victims.

"Learn to recognize the signs of domestic violence, learn to know what the resources are in their community and how to refer and how to navigate those conversations as they come up," McDevitt says.

Family Justice Center is offering more than just training. They have playrooms available for children of mothers escaping domestic abuse, and they offer other support such as court assistance, counseling and support groups.

Larry High has worked at Bear's Barber Shop in Chattanooga for 52 years, and he's seen the problem firsthand.

"The mothers in their own homes are afraid of their own children," he says.

With rising homicide rates, he says he's encouraged by the state's education efforts.

We've got to do training, because without training we're fighting a losing battle.

High says he believes embracing a position as a role model in the community is critical.

"They look up to me... they love me... and I love them."

source: https://newschannel9.com/news/local/a-cut-above-new-tennessee-law-requires-different-kind-of-training-for-stylists-barbers

Your content is great. However, if any of the content contained herein violates any rights of yours, including those of copyright, please contact us immediately by e-mail at media[@]kissrpr.com.