New Study: Empowering Salon Professionals as Frontline Responders to Violence

In the realm of public health and safety, salon professionals occupy a unique and often overlooked position. With their close, one-on-one interactions with clients, they are in a prime spot to notice signs of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sex trafficking. The latest study co-authored by VISTA Director Laura Schwab Reese delves into this untapped potential, examining how salon professionals can help to identify and intervene with the right training and support. The study was published in BMC Public Health with Alexandra T. Hughes-Wegner, Andrea L. DeMaria, Ashley Bolen, Meagan R. DeMark, Kayra Ucpinar & Kathryn C. Seigfried-Spellar. 

Background

Victims of sex trafficking often interact with salons for services like waxing, styling, and other body modifications mandated by traffickers. Recognizing this, some states have enacted laws requiring salon professionals to receive training on intimate partner violence, though fewer states have mandated training on identifying sex trafficking. This study aimed to understand how salon professionals encounter evidence of violence in their workplaces and how their approaches differ when dealing with victims of IPV versus sex trafficking.

Methods

We conducted in-depth interviews with 10 salon professionals and 5 law enforcement professionals/policymakers. Using content and thematic analysis techniques, we explored their experiences and insights regarding recognizing and responding to signs of violence.

Results

The findings revealed that salon professionals often identified potential violence through physical signs like bruises, unusual behavior, and direct client disclosures. However, only a few were trained to effectively identify and intervene in such cases. When suspecting violence, their responses varied from engaging in cautious conversations with the client, sharing their concerns with salon management, directly intervening on the client’s behalf, or contacting the police.

Law enforcement and salon professionals offered valuable suggestions for improving salon professionals’ ability to recognize and respond to violence. These included:

• Providing training focused on victim resources
• Creating a safe and supportive environment within the salon
• Building stronger relationships between salon professionals and law enforcement
• Strengthening community partnerships to enhance resource advocacy and reporting

Conclusions

This study underscores the significant opportunity that one-on-one salon services offer for identifying and intervening in cases of violence. By empowering salon professionals through targeted training and collaborative partnerships with community-oriented policing initiatives, we can enhance their confidence and effectiveness in supporting victims of IPV and sex trafficking.

Moving Forward

The findings from this study highlight the importance of implementing comprehensive training programs and fostering community-based initiatives. These steps can help salon professionals feel more confident and equipped to take action when they suspect a client is a victim of violence.

As we continue to address public health and safety challenges, recognizing and leveraging the unique positions of various community members, such as salon professionals, will be crucial. By doing so, we can build a more informed, responsive, and supportive network for victims of violence.