New Tennessee law requires barbers and cosmetologists to attend domestic violence training - WCYB

BRISTOL, Tenn--Tennessee salon and barber shops will now do more than just help clients with their hair.

Starting Jan. 1st, every barber and cosmetologist in Tennessee is required to go through a free one hour training course to help spot the signs of domestic violence.

At Southside barber shop in Bristol, barber Chris Hughes says they hear just about everything from their clients.

"They'll talk to you about their sicknesses, they'll talk to you about their health," said Hughes. "You're their sportscaster....You see a lot of things, when they sit in your chair you're their focus."

Sen. Becky Duncan Massey (R-Knoxville) sponsored the bill, saying she has always had a passion to help those who are most vulnerable.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance and the state Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners partnered up to ensure this bill was passed due to nearly half of all crimes in the state being domestic violence-related. In 2020, there were 69,385 domestic violence-related incidents.

"Often times, especially with a barber or hair stylist they can see marks and things that might not have been there two months ago," said Massey.

Massey believes more than 50,000 licensed cosmetologists and barbers will now be able to aid their clients in need.

"Anytime I can pass legislation that might save one life but that will save lives or drastically make a difference, that's the legislation I get most passion about," she said.

60 minutes, that barbers like Chris Hughes said are well spent.

"If it saves one person from it, then it's all worth it," said Hughes.

source: https://wcyb.com/news/local/new-tennessee-law-requires-barbers-and-cosmetologists-to-attend-domestic-violence-training

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