Ipswich: Domestic abuse training scheme for hairdressers

The free initiative was made possible following lobbying by Cllr Sam Murray - Suffolk County Council representative for Whitehouse and Whitton and launched by the county council. 

"I want to help to create an environment where people experiencing abuse can access support easily and where abusers will have nowhere to hide," Cllr Murray said.

Cllr Sam Murray carried lobbied for the scheme and asked the Council to make the training free. Credit: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

"Rolling out this training is a step in that direction."

The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) estimated that 5% of adults aged 16 years and over experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2022 - with the majority of victims being women.

Two salons in Garrick Way are currently signed up for the scheme, which will initially be available in North West Ipswich.

Hayley Hutchison from Topaz Salon said: "Our team are aware of the increase in domestic abuse and we want to be able to have the right training so we know how to help.

"Sadly I am very aware that abusers hide in plain sight and for personal reasons I want to know how to recognise the signs of abuse for earlier intervention."

Pauline Liberti of Liberti's Hairdressing, Barbering & Beauty added: "Professional training on how to signpost people in need will help us if our clients ever needed it."

Suffolk domestic abuse charity Lighthouse welcomed the scheme. 

The scheme has been welcomed by Suffolk domestic abuse charity Lighthouse. Credit: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

"We have recognised for some time that employees in the beauty industry are in a unique position to spot signs of domestic abuse due to the close and trusted relationships they develop with their clients," a spokesman said.

"We all need to work together to do all that we can to drive the appalling statistics down."

Contact details for scheme participation can be found on the Suffolk County Council website.