Stylists, counselors, friends: Bill would give beauty professionals role in identifying domestic violence

When clients plop into the hairstyling chair at MasterCuts in Hilo, they let it all hang out.

The good, the bad, the funny, the friend drama, work stress and relationship problems - generally nothing's off limits.

"We talk about everything," said Rina Nasau, manager and stylist at the Prince Kuhio Plaza salon. "We have some guests we've (serviced) for 10 years, so we build that trust with them and that family bond, right down to their kids. We know pretty much everything going on in their lives."

This year, state lawmakers are pushing a bill that aims to use those close, longstanding relationships beauty professionals often share with customers to theoretically flag for domestic violence.

Senate Bill 518 and companion House Bill 680 would mandate all those with barber, beauty operator and instructor licenses under the state Board of Barbering and Cosmetology complete a one-time, three-hour training program on intimate partner violence awareness and education.

Statewide, that's 9,379 people, including 792 in Hawaii County, according to Jan. 24 statistics posted on the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs website. Licensees include cosmetologists, hairdressers, estheticians, nail technicians, instructors and barbers.

The course would teach them how to recognize signs of domestic violence and give them resources - such as referrals to domestic violence organizations - should they encounter a potentially troubling situation at work.

Current license holders would complete the training when they renew their license.

The bill does not offer many specifics as to how the course would be implemented or how it would be funded. State Sen. Lorraine Inouye, D-Hilo, said those details could be configured by DCCA. She said the bill is one of several Women's Legislative Caucus bills being pushed this year.

"To me, it's a good idea," said Inouye, who co-sponsored the Senate bill. "I think it's something that these people in the (beauty and grooming) field should be aware of."

Illinois passed a similar law last year that mandates a one-hour course on domestic violence and sexual assault.

Sarah Warren, a Hilo-based licensed clinical social worker, lauded the idea because she said it could be "helpful" to have "more people who can call (domestic violence) what it is."

One-third of women and one-fourth of men nationwide have experienced violence from an intimate partner, according to information from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. One in 7 women in Hawaii will be raped in her lifetime, the coalition says, and domestic violence programs in Hawaii serve more than 500 women each day.

"Most of the people who come to me don't really name it as abuse," Warren said. "It's more like, they're having problems in their relationship and once they're in the door, it becomes really clear. So I think it'd be helpful for as many people in a woman's life to have that mirror to (show her) the dynamics that she may not be seeing or naming as abuse."

Several East Hawaii hairstylists said they similarly would be OK with the class. Claire Banasan-Kelii, owner of Salon Le Chic in downtown Hilo, said clients divulge relationship issues to her "all the time."

"(Relationships are discussed at) every chair in here, all day," she said, adding a single appointment can last several hours. "? Being that we work with majority women all day, as a stylist you end up wearing multiple hats, whether it be as a stylist, a counselor or a friend. And I think by this course being mandated, it would help me as a stylist help them - knowing where to lead them."

"When you think about it, a lot of people are not trained to look for signals or signs (of domestic violence)," added Nalani Ranis, a MasterCuts stylist, who said she's "conversational" thus many clients easily open up to her about personal matters. "So any kind of training would be great."

The state Board of Barbering and Cosmetology has concerns, however. In written testimony, board member Margaret Williams said the board "supports the intent" of the bill but thinks other providers - such as massage therapists - also should be included.

The board also worries training costs could create a "financial burden as well as the time away from employment" for licensees, and worries completing the course could "elevate the level of responsibility of the licensee beyond the scope of practice that a barber or beauty operator should be expected to perform."

The bill says a licensee wouldn't be liable for acting - or failing to act - on a given situation. The House version, as currently amended, creates a misdemeanor for someone who threatens or assaults a licensee for taking action.

Both versions of the bill crossed over from their original chambers last week.

Email Kirsten Johnson at kjohnson@hawaiitribune-herald.com.