Stylists work to reduce domestic violence

From left, Carolyn Muscari, Nicole Anthony and Jana McLaughlin relax as they get pedicures during the Girls Night Out fundraiser at the Destination Island Spa and Salon last Thursday.

By Jeremy Twitchell

Monday, Oct. 6, 2008 | 2:28 p.m.

Richard Brian

From left, Ellen Marasia, Judy Gereneser, Gene Woodenberg and Sue Clark mingle during the Girls Night Out fundraiser held at the Destination Island Spa and Salon last Thursday.

Henderson stylists joined with local nonprofit Safe House on Oct. 2 for the city's first National Girls Night Out to Cut Out Domestic Violence.

The event was meant to raise awareness of domestic violence and make its victims aware of the services available to them. It was also a fundraiser for Safe House, a local nonprofit agency that provides shelter, advocacy and education for victims of domestic violence.

Stylists at Destination Island Spa and Salon on Horizon Ridge Parkway and Stephanie Street donated their services for the night — charging reduced rates for their services and giving all of the proceeds to Safe House. Several additional companies also donated items for a raffle and dinner.

The partnership was a natural fit, Safe House Executive Director Julie Proctor said.

"The thing behind it is that women talk to their beauticians about everything. The beauticians know about their families, their work, and in many cases, abused women open up to their beauticians and tell them what is happening."

Safe House representatives have been training salon workers and students at the academy to recognize the signs of abuse and to reach out to victims of domestic violence, Proctor said. This was the first time that the two groups participated in the annual Girls Night Out.

Rachel Goodwin, general manager of Destination Island's three Las Vegas-area locations and its academy, said it made sense to help Safe House.

"Because we are a women-based industry, it's something we're familiar with," she said. "Because we have so many clients, this is just a great way to give back to the community."

Safe House, which operates a 52-bed shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children, has been in high demand in the community. During 2007, the agency answered 957 calls on its hotline, sheltered 203 individuals for a total of 13,850 nights, provided advocacy for 842 adults and children, provided mental health counseling for 625 victims and hosted several community outreach efforts.

However, like most other nonprofit agencies in the valley, Safe House has seen a sharp decline in donations and state funds because of the economic downturn. And as the pressure on families increases, Safe House representatives said, there is an accompanying rise in demand for Safe House's services.

"(This fundraiser) is very important, especially with the economic times like they are right now," said City Councilwoman Gerri Schroder, president of Safe House's board of directors. "Unfortunately, there's a rise in domestic violence in times like these."

Jeremy Twitchell can be reached at 990-8928 or jeremy.twitchell@hbcpub.com.