Behind The Mask

Press release

Hair, Beauty & Holistic Professionals Against Domestic Abuse

Behind the Mask was launched in July 2019. It offers U.K. hair, holistic & beauty professional’s free online training to help them spot the signs that someone may be experiencing domestic abuse how they could respond in the best way.

Carmen Elizabeth Owner of The Healing Cabin in Cotgrave Nottinghamshire is delighted to be one of a growing number of salons | Beauty & Holistic therapists to take this special training and become one of the Behind The Mask Champions and will be incorporating it into any of her future training courses.

Domestic Abuse may take one or more forms that could be physical, psychological, sexual, harassing, coercive or controlling. Given that domestic abuse includes a wide range of behaviours, it can be hard to spot and injuries may be masked by clothing or makeup.

Around 1 in 4 women will experience abuse in their lifetime. On average, 2 women are killed each week 1. For many reasons, some may not tell no one what’s going on. With some insight, a therapist’s unique relationship with their clients may reveal what’s hidden behind their ‘mask’.

Many women use the services of a hairdresser and beauty & Holistic therapist and tell them things that they wouldn’t say to anyone else. We may notice injuries or the consequence of them. With regular clients, they may recognise behavioural changes. Our salons and treatment areas may be seen as a safe and relaxing spaces to our clients and it may be one of the few opportunities they have to reach out for help or be open to it. It’s not about intervening or interfering, it’s simply suggesting the services of those who are specially trained to help in a way that’s informed and meaningful. Our listening ear along with a kind word may change or save a life.

During 2018, beauty therapist Julie Knight asked UK hair and beauty professionals for their views on the necessity of such a programme and how to make it really accessible. 100% of over 200 respondents said it was necessary. 98% said that a short online training programme would make it easier to use. With their help, the name was chosen. Julie consulted a number of interested parties to help inform the training programme along with her personal insight and professional knowledge given her past career in policing that spans nearly 30 years.

Behind the Mask is available free of charge and the content will be reviewed annually. Participant of the programme will be invited to revisit the training to refresh their knowledge every 2 years.

Some of our colleagues are Behind the Mask Champions and help to raise the awareness of it in any way they can. In addition, many hair and beauty academies have agreed to incorporate the training into their courses so the next generation of hairdressers and beauty & holistic therapists are aware of the signs of domestic abuse and how they can truly help.

For more information and for the training, please visit their website at www.behindthemask.online

National Domestic Violence 24 Hour Helpline 0808 2000 247

If you would like to contact Carmen Elizabeth she currently offers message, email and online support via ladyfitpt@live.co.uk or Whats App 07392 378 826

Carmen Elizabeth Maynes VTCT MABT DIP PT

The Healing Cabin

Ringleas

Cotgrave

Nottingham

NG12 3PS

www.carmensholistictherapy.co.uk