In Australia, one in four women experience family violence. Violence is not just physical, it can be financial, verbal or socially isolating someone from family and friends.
Very few women tell the police or a specialist service first. They are more likely to tell someone they trust, like their hairdresser or beauty therapist.
Maroondah City Council is dedicated to preventing all forms of violence, including family/partner violence, child abuse, parental, carer, elder and sexual abuse before it occurs.
As part of our commitment to working towards a community where everyone is safe, valued and enjoys equity of opportunity and outcomes, we are offering training for salon professionals to learn how to recognise and help clients experiencing family violence.
Hair-3Rs is an interactive training session open to anyone working in hair, beauty or personal care services such as hairdressers, barbers, beauty therapists, nail technicians, makeup artists, masseurs, spray tan technicians, cosmetic tattooists, waxers, dermatologists.
Councillor Suzy Stojanovic, member of the Maroondah Community Health and Wellbeing Committee, highlights the importance of providing training and assistance to the community.
"We want our salon community to feel confident when it comes to supporting people who are experiencing family or relationship violence," Cr Stojanovic said.
"Many salon professionals have a close relationship with their clients and can often find themselves in situation where people share personal details about their lives.
"Understanding how to recognise violence may be occurring and how best to respond can be tricky.
"Whether there is someone you know, or you would like to be better informed, this session delivered by qualified trainers will help you better understand the different types of family violence, learn what to say and where your client can get help locally if they need it," said Cr Stojanovic.
The workshop will help participants learn how to:
- Recognise signs of family violence, including signs specific to salon work.
- Respond to disclosures of family violence, including starting conversations about possible signs of abuse.
- Refer to specialist family violence services, including appropriate ways to offer support.
- Understand family violence and gender inequality.
- Challenge harmful attitudes and gender stereotypes that condone violence against women.
The training will be presented by two qualified educators. Participants will be provided with a copy or the training presentation, certificate of completion and access to downloadable resources to display in the salon.
Make a booking
Council is subsidising the program, so it is available for a special price of $20 for salon workers who live or work in Maroondah.
Bookings are essential as places are limited.
Bookings close 5pm, Monday 23 May unless booked out earlier.
