Free training for hairdressers and beauticians to help clients with domestic abuse

Some of the hairdressers and beauticians trained through the Cut It Out programme at Rochdale town hall

Free training for hairdressers and beauticians to help clients who may be experiencing domestic abuse will be held at Rochdale Town Hall on Monday 25 November.

Cut It Out Rochdale is a borough-wide initiative training people in hair and beauty salons to have conversations around domestic abuse.

The programme, which is run by Rochdale Borough Council, has already trained hundreds of hairdressers and beauticians from across Greater Manchester.

The training will take place on Monday 25 November between 10am and 12pm at Rochdale Town Hall.

Participants are taught about domestic abuse, how to spot the signs, and the services available across the borough. Salons are provided with information on local services to use as they feel appropriate.

Rates of domestic abuse and related homicides are higher in Rochdale than the England average and last year, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) dealt with over 4,000 incidents of domestic violence incidents in the borough.

Community-based interventions like the Cut It Out Rochdale programme enable early identification and early help which are vital in creating a society which has a zero tolerance to domestic abuse and ultimately reduces harm.

Jaria Hussain-lala, early help domestic abuse officer at Rochdale Council, said: “For many women, hairdressers and beauty salons are safe, female-only spaces where they are at ease and salons become environments where victims can confide in stylists who they trust.

“With proper training on how to safely refer victims to help, salon professionals can become invaluable and influential in reducing the impact of domestic abuse and ensuring victims know someone is listening.”

For further information, please visit: 

• www.rochdale.gov.uk/cutitout