Did you know that one in four women in Ireland are subjected to domestic abuse?
This is a shocking statistic, but with your help, we can do something positive and possibly make a life–changing difference for sufferers. Are you interested?
With the high number of women working within our industry and with the volume of women clients we meet and engage with on a daily basis, HABIC believes that we are in the perfect position to make a DIFFERENCE… We Can Listen, Believe, Support.
Key Statistics
- 1 in 4 women in Ireland experience domestic abuse by a current partner or ex.
- Almost 30,000 calls to Women’s Aid last year. An increase of 43% due to the pandemic.
- An estimated 88.9% of professionals working in hair and beauty are female.
Today – Monday 15th Nov 2021, A new partnership between Women’s Aid and HABIC has been launched.
This partnership will see domestic abuse support resources rolled out to over 2,500 hair and beauty salons across the country. The new partnership aims to build a greater understanding and knowledge among hair and beauty professionals of domestic violence and abuse, and to create awareness with salon customers and employees on the prevalence and nature of domestic abuse, and the support pathways that are available.
HABIC has teamed up with Women’s Aid to use the strength of our great industry to make a difference and potentially change someone’s life for the better.
Together with Women’s Aid, HABIC has a resource pack prepared for salons across the country to use to support and educate your teams and clients. This pack includes:
- posters outlining the ten common signs of domestic abuse. We encourage you to place these posters within your staff area and also for your clients to see. Place these beside the kettle or in the canteen area, in the restrooms, etc… places where people will have time to read.
- stickers to display on mirrors containing QR codes that will direct salon customers to the 24hr National Freephone Helpline and the Women’s Aid website.
If you would like to receive a HABIC Resource Pack directly to your Salon, please email us at info@habic.ie with your Business Name, Manager’s Name, Business Address and Contact Number. Alternatively, you can download and print the resources here:
Margaret O’Rourke Doherty, CEO of HABIC added:“The relationship between clients and HABIC hairdressers and beauticians is one that is developed over time and is built on trust. From engagement with Women’s Aid, we understand that salons may be the only safe space for some women, away from an abusive behaviour. Over the coming period, we will focus on supporting our members and to give staff confidence and resources to know how to respond when someone does confide in them. With a largely female workforce, we also want to ensure our members feel supported at work and can access the necessary supports if they need to. We look forward to working with the team at Women’s Aid going forward to listen to women, support and believe them.”
Margaret O’Rourke Doherty
We ask you to take a few minutes and read the information below. Be aware of the signs of domestic abuse and be informed with some tools and ways to respond. HABIC also wrote a recent BLOG on this important issue with some additional information for you to read. As part of this we hosted a webinar with Women’s Aid. Click here to watch this important and informative webinar.
Our industry is everywhere… we are in cities, towns, villages and everywhere in between right across the country. We provide a haven where our clients can relax and feel safe and secure. We want all women, whether staff or client to know that they are not alone and that help is available.
With the right information you can make a difference in someone’s journey to safety.
Let’s do what we can. It will mean so much.
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