Course for salon professionals teaches signs of abuse

SPOTTING the signs of domestic abuse, and responding appropriately to disclosures is the important theme of an upcoming online course for hairdressers and beauticians across Omagh.

Organised by Fermanagh Women’s Aid in partnership with Omagh Women’s Aid and Fermanagh and Omagh PSNI, the course, which is free of charge, is entitled ‘In Safe Hands: How Salon Professionals Can Help’.

A spokesperson has encouraged all salons to get involved and share the word with employees – particularly as statistics showed that 100 per-cent of those who attended the session in the past had been told of abuse.

“With proper training on how to recognise the signs of abuse and safely refer victims to help, salon professionals can become invaluable and influential community partners in the fight against domestic abuse,” they said. “Survivors are more likely to disclose to someone that they trust – and that could be you.

“The training session, for you and your employees, will help you find out what to do if this is the case, how to respond, and where to signpost your clients.”

All participating salons will receive a certificate of attendance, and a free resource pack for their salon.

The course has been kindly funded by Policing & Community Safety Partnership.

• The free online domestic and sexual violence training course for salon professionals will take place on Thursday, January 21, from 10.30am to 12.30pm. For more information or to book your place, please contact Michelle Alonso at training@fermanaghwomensaid.com or call 07725148 407. There are limited spaces available so be sure to secure your place as soon as possible.