1900 Lancashire hair and beauty professionals unite to combat domestic abuse
Lancashire initiative empowers beauty professionals to spot domestic abuse.
Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw recently visited Blackburn College to promote the #NailDomesticAbuse campaign, targeting domestic abuse in the community through specialized training for hair, nail, beauty, and wellness professionals.
The initiative encourages students in these fields to complete training courses that equip them to recognize signs of domestic abuse. Materials include videos filmed in salon environments and information on supporting potential victims safely. Over 1,900 professionals have registered since the campaign’s launch, demonstrating significant industry interest in the initiative.
Training impact and student involvement
While at Blackburn College, Commissioner Grunshaw interacted with tutors and students to learn about the training’s impact and discuss the critical role they play in raising awareness around domestic abuse.
Commissioner Grunshaw emphasized the trusted relationships beauty professionals establish with clients, placing them in a unique position to notice potential signs of abuse.
"The #NailDomesticAbuse campaign is a fantastic tool to raise awareness of domestic abuse and ensure that those working in this industry can direct their clients towards support safely and confidently," Grunshaw said.
College commitment and support services
Blackburn College is actively supporting the campaign by encouraging student participation in the program. Chantelle Kinney, a Lecturer in Beauty and Related Therapies at the College, shared the positive response from students and stressed the importance of equipping them with these essential skills.
Jess Brown-Cooper, a Level 1 Beauty student at the College, expressed increased confidence from completing the training: "I want trusted relationships with my clients, and thanks to this campaign I now have additional skills to use in my future career."
The Wish Centre, which is funded by the Commissioner's Office to provide specialist support to victims of domestic abuse in Blackburn with Darwen, was also present, highlighting the collaboration with local services. CEO Shigufta Khan noted the importance of awareness and support systems backing the campaign.
Lancashire hair and beauty businesses interested in joining the campaign can sign up for free training and request salon materials at naildomesticabuse.co.uk.