Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1514075
Get coverage for your equipment on- and off-site! More at ascpskincare.com/bpp 67 While some abusers cause injuries to areas of the body typically covered by clothing (such as the torso, upper arms, and upper legs), it is also common for domestic violence victims to sustain injuries on the head, neck, and face. 4 As a beauty professional whose job involves touching someone's face or hair, you may notice injuries in these areas that the average person might miss. "One should be suspicious if the history is not consistent with the injury," experts say. "Defensive injuries may be present on the forearms and hands. The [client] may have psychological signs and symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Medical complaints may be specific or vague such as headaches, palpitations, chest pain, painful intercourse, or chronic pain." 5 For a variety of reasons, many cases of domestic violence are not reported. However, initiatives like NCADV and many others are actively working to remove the stigma surrounding domestic violence and empower victims with knowledge and resources. "We learned very quickly during the [COVID-19] pandemic that not everyone is safer at home," says Susanne Shepherd Post, a Nashville-based licensed cosmetologist, salon owner, and survivor of domestic abuse. Post co-founded Shear Haven, a domestic violence training initiative with YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee. "The numbers [of domestic violence] here jumped exponentially, and I'm sure that that's the case in every community. It exposed the hidden pandemic of domestic violence . . . The hope is that we are slowly able to unravel some of the myths around domestic violence." IDENTIFYING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE From physical appearance to demeanor, there are several ways to identify domestic violence in clients. "Obvious physical signs are bruising, unexplained injuries, or difficulty moving because of an unseen injury," Post says. "Specifically for the beauty industry, bald spots where hair has been pulled out and marks around the neck are telltale signs of abuse." A change in behavior is another warning sign. "Being distant, changing what they dress in or [how they] present themselves, or wearing the wrong clothes for the time of year are also key signs," Post says. Victims of domestic violence may also be accompanied by their abuser, who may attempt to dictate the kind of service they receive, which Post says can also be a sign of trafficking. Rachel Molepske at Cut It Out, a domestic violence training program by Professional Beauty Association, says a victim may also not be "allowed" to change styles without the permission of their significant other. "It is important to