Hairdressers trained to spot domestic abuse signs

Hairdresser Kelly Smith said before the training she would panic when people confided in her

Training for professionals to help them spot domestic abuse in clients has been described as "invaluable".

Practitioners across Herefordshire who have a unique, one-to-one relationship with clients took part in a course known as The Cut It Out initiative at Hereford Town Hall on Monday.

The training aims to provide those enrolled on the course with the tools to spot domestic abuse and point their clients to critical resources.

Hair and beauty professionals, physiotherapists, chiropractors and tattooists were just some of the professions to take part.

Kelly Smith, a hairdresser at K Hairdressing in Hereford, said in her 28 years of experience she has had several clients confide in her, and until now has never had the tools to know how to help.

"It has been invaluable, I have encountered it several times in the past and I think that is what made me want to come on the course," she said.

"In the past I think you panic because it is a massive burden to put on me, especially when I am not a trained professional.

"But having had this course I feel so much more confident to ask the right questions, to make sure they are safe with whatever they say to me and to offer them the support they need."

Tracy Bond said hairdressers have a unique relationship with their clients and they can normally identify if "something is off"

Tracy Bond, a hairdresser from Barn Salon in Fownhope, also said she had previously had clients confide in her.

"I have had clients that have come to me that I believe have gone through domestic abuse," she said.

"I think the thing with hairdressing is that you get to know them all really, really well.

"You can tell if something has changed or if something is going on in their lives - they do confide in you."

She advised anyone who is the victim of domestic abuse to "find somebody you can talk to".

Martin Lakeman said the training was intended to help professionals know where to point clients if they needed help

The Cut It Out initiative has been launched by the Herefordshire Community Safety Partnership.

It is also supported by Martin Lakeman, a domestic abuse consultant, Herefordshire, Ludlow and North Shropshire College and Herefordshire Public Health.

Mr Lakeman said: "It is not about being specialists in domestic abuse.

"It is just about giving people awareness about how to have that challenging and difficult conversation and more importantly to signpost people - potential victims, family members and friends - to critical resources that can help."