Campaign to cut out domestic abuse

Sunday, 22 October 2023 13:09

By David Murphy

Cheryl Allwood from Safenet delivers one of the awareness sessions to hairdressing students

Students from Bury College have been learning about how they can protect others from domestic abuse.

Bury Council and Safenet have run domestic abuse awareness sessions with student hairdressers and barbers at the college.

Anyone can experience domestic abuse and the Cut It Out sessions are designed to help future hairdressers and barbers spot the signs and to have conversations with the customer to be able to support them.

On average victims experience 50 incidents of abuse before getting effective help. Less than 1% of perpetrators of abuse currently receive any form of intervention.

SafeNet Bury supports people in Bury who have experienced domestic abuse to find the right level of support they need to move towards a happier, healthier and more secure future.

The organisation provides a range of services on behalf of Bury Council for women, family and men who are victims.

If you, anyone you know or work with people who are experiencing domestic abuse then you can contact Safenet on 0300 3033 581 or contact@safenet.org.uk

“Hairdressers and barbers are often in a unique position where they can speak openly with people who may be experiencing domestic abuse and provide support,” said Councillor Richard Gold, Cabinet Member for Finance and Communities.

“I’m grateful to the students who have taken part in this training for what is an emotional and difficult subject.

“They are just part of the jigsaw for tackling this issue and fit with the whole range of services that we provide.

“One incident of domestic abuse is one too many and we must do all that we can to end it.”

Cheryl Allwood, Service Manager from Safenet added: “Safenet domestic abuse charity has partnered with Bury Council and Bury College to deliver training for the Cut it out campaign. The campaign supports hairdressers, barbers, and beauty technicians to understand what domestic abuse is, the barriers victims face in speaking out and how they as professionals can support victims and survivors in accessing the support needed to keep themselves safe.

“This is the second year Safenet have provided training at Bury College and the response from the students has been fantastic, and we hope to ensure that all salons and barbers have the opportunity to be a safe space for anyone affected by domestic abuse.”