Understanding Options for Escaping Domestic Violence
According to domesticviolencestatistics.org:
Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten.
Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women—more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.
Studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.
Domestic violence victims lose nearly 8 million days of paid work per year in the US alone—the equivalent of 32,000 full-time jobs.
Everyday in the US, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends.
Domestic violence goes beyond physical and sexual violence. The National Domestic Violence hotline often uses the Power & Control Wheel to help best describe the variance of domestic abuse and violence a victim can experience.
Because of the alarming statistics related to domestic violence and the broad number of ways a victim can experience domestic violence, it is important for them, to know their options in seeking guidance, support, and a safe haven, which led to the creation of Options Domestic & Sexual Violence Services, serving 18 counties in Northwest Kansas since 1983. Options works to empower victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault through more than a dozen services, including emergency services via a 24 hour helpline and 24 hour crisis intervention, legal assistance through helping to understand legal and court processes, financial assistance related to safety concerns and relocation along with classes to help victims regain financial independence, counseling and support to help reduce the impact of domestic violence and abuse, housing services including emergency shelters and safe houses, children’s services to assist the healing process while strengthening protective and resiliency factors in both individual and group settings, and community education to inform the public about the dynamics of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and sex trafficking.
Rejuvenations has previously taken part in the community education services offered by Options, inviting representatives from the organization to help educate staff about domestic violence. Salon and spa professionals are in a unique position to recognize the signs and symptoms of abuse in their clients and co-workers. Because of the
intimate and nurturing nature of the relationship between salon professionals and their clients and co-workers, beauty industry professionals can often spot signs of physical abuse that others may never see. Women will also usually talk about the abuse with someone they trust. Because beauty professionals are skilled and experienced listeners who are personally interested in those around them, many victims suffering from abuse feel comfortable confiding in them - even if they would never tell anyone else. For an abused woman, a salon or spa may be the ideal environment to seek out help because it may be one of the few places she is allowed to go without her abuser.
Options, understanding the unique advantage of interpersonal communication offered by salon and spa professionals, provides information via the Cut It Out Program, mobilizing salon / spa professionals, students and others to fight the epidemic of domestic abuse in communities across the United States. Cut It Out builds awareness of domestic abuse through awareness materials to be displayed in salons, the “Give the Power Back” initiative to involve salons in helping local domestic violence agencies, and training salon / spa professionals and students to recognize warning signs and safely refer clients to resources. With proper training on how to recognize the signs of abuse and safely refer victims to help, salon professionals can become invaluable and influential community partners in the fight against domestic abuse.
If you are in seek of options to help you or a loved one experiencing domestic violence, know that Rejuvenations offers an open door policy and seeks to serve our guests individual needs with respect and confidentiality. You may also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE, or email Options at options@help4abuse.org. In all cases of an emergency, please dial 911. For further information regarding services offered by Options visit their website help4abuse.org.
