State turning to hairdressers to help spot domestic violence

Angie Wagner

Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000 | 2:08 a.m.

LAS VEGAS - It's a secret many women never even tell their best friends. But a hairdresser just might notice the hints of domestic violence - a clump of hair missing, a bump on the head, a bruise.

The bond between women and their hairdressers is one that state officials believe could help in detecting domestic violence.

"They're (hairdressers) often confidantes for many people. They may hear things even someone's best friend may not hear and they might notice injuries," said Veronica Boyd-Frenkel, domestic violence ombudsman for Nevada. "They don't necessarily have to be counselors, but we're trying to help them be a referral source for these victims."

Boyd-Frenkel wants hairdressers to do more than just snip and curl hair. Listening and looking for signs of abuse could influence victims to get help.

Modeled after a similar program in Connecticut, Boyd-Frenkel and the Nevada attorney general's office have proposed training techniques for hairdressers that will teach them to spot signs of abuse. Boyd-Frenkel is working with the Nevada State Board of Cosmetologists to try and get the training introduced into the curriculum at beauty schools.

"It's amazing how much contact these people can have with victims," she said Friday.

One of every three women worldwide has been beaten, raped or somehow mistreated, according to a January report released by the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and the Center for Health and Gender Equity.

The first training seminar was in Reno Feb. 7 for the cosmetology board and instructors. Another seminar will be held Sunday in Las Vegas.

"We are in contact with women all the time," said Bonnie Schultz, who attended the Reno seminar and is co-owner of the International Academy of Style in Reno. "They sometimes confide, and we need to know where they can seek help."

After Sunday's training session, the cosmetology board will consider integrating the training into beauty school classes.

"Our instructors were very impressed," said Mary Manna, executive secretary for the board. "It's really good training for them to have."

Boyd-Frenkel wants beauty schools to put up posters in restrooms and stickers on mirrors that have the state's helpline for domestic violence - 1-800-500-1556. She plans on mailing posters and stickers to 1,400 salons in the state, hoping to get them interested in the program.

"We need to break the silence around it," Boyd-Frenkel said. "It's a problem of epidemic proportions that affects our entire society."