Pulaski Times

U.S. Senators John Boozman, Marsha Blackburn, and Tammy Duckworth have introduced the bipartisan Supporting the Abused by Learning Options to Navigate Survivor (SALONS) Stories Act. This legislation aims to promote domestic violence awareness and response training for cosmetologists and beauty professionals.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Data from the National Violent Death Reporting System shows that three women were victims of homicide by an intimate partner every day from 2018-2021. The SALONS Stories Act seeks to preserve states' autonomy in setting their cosmetology standards while incentivizing support for abused and at-risk patrons.

"Domestic violence often goes underreported because victims are unable to confide in others and the signs of mistreatment can be difficult to identify," said Boozman. "Cosmetologists, who routinely build trust and close familiarity with their clients, can help break down those barriers."

Blackburn added, "Domestic violence is a tragic epidemic in the United States, impacting millions of women every year who often suffer in silence. Given their close relationship with their clients, beauty professionals have the unique opportunity to be a first line of defense against domestic violence."

Duckworth stated, "Victims of domestic violence often don’t know where to turn or who to talk to, but they do often continue going to their salons—which puts beauty professionals in a unique position of potentially being among the first people who can recognize signs of abuse."

The SALONS Stories Act provides grants to states that require cosmetologists to undergo free domestic violence awareness training while maintaining state control over cosmetology standards. Arkansas, Tennessee, and Illinois have passed legislation mandating such training for cosmetology students.

The bill is also supported by Senators Susan Collins, Mazie Hirono, Amy Klobuchar, and Jeanne Shaheen. It has received endorsements from organizations including the Professional Beauty Association, National Network to End Domestic Violence, National Domestic Violence Hotline, and YWCA USA.