Training for hairdressers that can save lives

In Australia, one woman is still killed every nine days due to family violence. Very few women who are experiencing family violence approach specialist services or the police in the first instance. However, they are likely to tell someone they trust. Due to the ‘touch and talk' nature of salon work, hairdressers and other salon professionals often develop a strong and intimate bond with their clients where personal details are revealed.

Being listened to, believed and given appropriate information can have a significant impact on someone experiencing family violence. They may not have received this kind of response elsewhere and it can encourage them to seek help and safety from a family violence service. For many women, this kind of early intervention can be lifesaving.

Show notes for podcast episode 108

LET’S MEET OUR GUEST – Mel Broere

In this episode of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast for Hairdressers I am talking with Mel Broere, Project Coordinator for HaiR-3Rs. 

Wanting to play a part in preventing violence against women and children in Australia, Mel joined the Education and Training team at Eastern Domestic Violence Service in 2018. As a Project Coordinator, Mel develops and leads programs designed to raise community understanding and awareness of family violence. Her main project is HaiR-3Rs, a family violence training program giving salon professionals the skills to help clients experiencing abuse. Originally open only to Melbourne salons, HaiR-3Rs has grown into a national program under Mel’s leadership, despite receiving no ongoing or government funding. Mel believes everyone has a role to play in ending family violence, and that training programs such as HaiR-3Rs can be lifesaving for many women. 

What makes hairdressers ideal for this training?

Hairdressers and salons are a suitable environment for this type of training because of how much time hairdressers spend with clients and because of the touch-and-talk nature of salon work. Clients tend to return and come many times over a longer period of time. We are not just talking about physical violence. We are talking about emotional, physical, and spiritual. The salon is the only place their partner might let them go without them. It is the one place they can access support without their partner/perpetrator. 

Hairdressers have a unique opportunity to help their clients and community to put a stop to family violence due to the closeness and trust established between stylist and client.

What is a HaiR-3RS workshop?

It is an interactive training program for salon professionals. This training is open to all salon professionals in the industry, including beauty therapists, barbers, salon managers and hair stylists. They train about how to change the mindset in a 3 hour class about gender inequality available in person or online across Australia. The training is suitable for apprentices, trainees, salon teams, salon owners and solo operators.

These workshops teach salon professionals to recognise signs of family violence with the 3 R training. Those 3 R’s are:

• Recognise – signs of family violence
• Respond – knowing what to say if someone tells you about it or you see signs
• Refer – to professional services for support

If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic and/or family violence please call  1800RESPECT 24-hour hotline.

This is a 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

1800RESPECT also can offer debriefing to hairdressers after a conversation about family violence and they can give you advice.

Listen to episode 108 of the Colour Kristina Talks podcast for hairdressers to learn this training for hairdressers that can save lives.