Illinois salon professionals training to recognize signs of domestic violence

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Hairstylists and other salon professionals in Illinois are being trained to help victims of domestic violence.

Chris Alcorn-Catena is the director of support services for the Crisis Center for South Suburbia (CCSS), which teaches salon professionals how to recognize when their clients might be victims of domestic violence.

“Cosmetologists have the ability to see an individual and see bruises on their hands, to notice marks on their neck, to be able to put your hands on someone’s shoulder and see them flinch — it allows you to ask: ‘Wow, I noticed that bruise on the inside of your arm. Are you OK?’” Alcorn-Catena said.

In order to get or renew their licenses, Illinois law requires cosmetologists to receive one hour of training on how to recognize when their clients might have suffered domestic violence.

“We teach them how to identify victims or potential victims and then [provide] them with the resources they can share,” Alcorn-Catena said. “We want to have a cosmetologist pass along to their client information about our agency so that that victim can make educated choices about how to seek help safely.”

In addition to the training, the CCSS helps victims of domestic violence by offering housing, counseling and advocacy.

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