Cut It Out is a national program of the Salons Against Domestic Abuse fund that builds awareness of domestic abuse. It educates salon professionals and others to recognize warning signs, respond appropriatly, and safely refer clients to the National Domestic Violence Hotline number for help. Heidi Markow and the Beginning Over Foundation conducted the first Cut It Out seminar in Pennsylvania to TC Salon Spa in Bethlehem and to the Career Institute of Technology Cosmetology stundents in 2007. Today we are the Cut It Out educaters at Empire Beauty Schools, Vocational Technical Schools and Salons across the Lehigh Valley and beyond. 

Interested in hosting a Cut It Out Seminar at your Salon or School? Contact us for more information.

WHY THE SALON PROFESSIONAL?

• The relationship between a client and a salon professional is usually based on trust built up over time. Because of the relationship's  intimate and nurturing nature, a salon professional---who usually sees a client regulary---can often spot signs of physical abuse that others may never see, as well as easily recognize a change in a client's behavior.
• Research shows that most battered women never call the police or go to a shelter; however, they do usually talk about the abuse with someone they trust. Because salon professionals are skilled and experienced listeners who are personally interested in their clients, many women suffering from abuse feel comfortable confiding in them---even if the abused women would never tell anyone else.

Statistics indicate that one out of every three women is abused at some time in her life. Since salon professionals each see about 200 clients every four to six weeks, they are potentially in contact with a lot of abused women. They have a unique opportunity to reach victims that domestic violence professionals may never see. With proper guidance to recognize abuse and steer victims to help, salon professionals can become invaluable and influential community partners in the fight against domestic abuse.