Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1514075
Get coverage for your equipment on- and off-site! More at ascpskincare.com/bpp 71 Unlike health-care providers, teachers, and social workers, beauty professionals are not mandated reporters when it comes to domestic violence. This is true for all states, no matter if training is or isn't required. "While most states have mandatory reporting for child abuse and elder abuse, they do not require reporting of domestic abuse," Post says. "Mandatory reporting is in place to improve the safety of the victim who cannot help themselves," such as a child or a vulnerable adult. She says when it comes to domestic abuse, however, reporting a victim's situation could put them or their families at risk. While your state may not yet have these mandates, you may want to learn more about identifying and navigating domestic violence concerns with clients. There are plenty of in-person trainings, online courses, and web resources tailored specifically to beauty professionals. You can find a few of these resources in "Domestic Violence Training Resources." WHAT TO EXPECT FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TRAINING Whether online or in person, a domestic violence training course for beauty professionals will likely explain what domestic violence is, information on the cycle of abuse, and different types of domestic abuse. It should discuss how to identify signs of abuse in clients and approach conversations with a client who might be experiencing domestic abuse. Trainings will also provide you with further resources that can be shared with clients. You may be asked to take a quiz at the end. At Cut It Out, Molepske says the training reviews "The 3 Rs:" • Recognize someone may be a victim of domestic violence. • Respond to them appropriately and safely. • Refer them to the National Domestic Violence Hotline or a local resource. "In addition to the warning signs that a victim might be exhibiting, a beauty professional will learn that they are not a counselor or therapist and should not tell their client what to do," Post says of Shear Haven's trainings. "The professional should be there for their client and listen to and believe them if they choose to open up or disclose their situation." SETTING BOUNDARIES WITHOUT GUILT The relationship between a beauty professional and their client can be joyful and fulfilling for both parties. It's very special when a client feels comfortable and safe enough to open up about a difficulty in their lives, but it can also put a great deal of pressure and stress on the professional—especially if it's about something as serious as domestic violence. While often serving as a friend and confidant, you are not a trained mental health professional, nor should you be expected to be one. Going through domestic violence training will arm you with the right tools to set necessary boundaries with clients, while also providing them with the proper support and resources. This way, you can maintain a relationship with your client while also knowing you did everything in your power to help them. "Our hope is that we are able to release [professionals] from that stress of being a therapist and help them learn a little bit more about how to support themselves in that healthy way," Post says. "Create those boundaries where [you] know that you're not the therapist—there are professionals out there who can be that support and what you can do is truly just be a friend." Notes 1. Martin R. Huecker et al., Domestic Violence, ( Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing, 2023). ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499891. 2. Huecker et al., Domestic Violence. 3. NCDAV, "Learn More," accessed November 2023, ncadv.org/learn-more. 4. Huecker et al., Domestic Violence. 5. Huecker et al., Domestic Violence. 6. Julia Novick, "Hairdos and Help-Seeking: Mandatory Domestic Violence Training for Salon Workers," American Journal of Law & Medicine 48, no. 4 (December 2022): 435–46, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37039758. 7. Courtney Cole, CBS News Boston, "Proposed Bill Would Require Beauty Workers to Recognize Signs of Domestic Violence," July 7, 2023, cbsnews.com/boston/news/proposed-bill-would-require- domestic-violence-recognition-training-for-beauty-schools. 8. The New York State Senate, "Senate Bill S6145," accessed November 2023, nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S6145. 9. Behind the Chair, "Mandatory Domestic Violence Training for Salon Pros—Is Your State on the List? " October 27, 2017, behindthechair.com/ articles/mandatory-domestic-violence-training-salon-pros-state-list.