UK launch for Shear Haven's anti-domestic violence therapist training

The role of beauty therapists and spa professionals are said to put them in a perfect position to hear about and see signs of domestic violence, but many may not know how to respond.

However, a new anti-domestic violence training initiative called Shear Haven has launched to equip trainees with the knowledge and resources to recognise the signs of domestic violence as well as successfully navigate conversations with clients who may be in danger.

The UK and Ireland initiative, spearheaded by business expert and Shear Haven ambassador Liz McKeon,  consists of a 20-minute online training session followed by a short quiz.

According to the Office for National Statistics, UK police recorded 259,324 domestic abuse offences between March and June 2020, representing a 7% increase on the same period in 2019. During – and after – the first lockdown, around one-fifth of offences involved domestic abuse.

The Shear Haven education programme was developed by Susanne Post, a US-based salon owner, stylist and survivor of domestic violence. To date, more than 25,000 beauty professionals around the world have taken the training and received personalised certificates of achievement.