Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Info Sessions Arm Beauty Industry To Help Others

A series of information sessions were held in Cannonvale and Bowen this week in an effort to give individuals working in the beauty industry the knowledge and resources to best deal with disclosures of domestic or sexual violence.

Owner of The Beauty Room Airlie Beach, Charlotte Greenwood, attended a session and said that she understands how important it is to know how to respond.

“When you find your ‘beauty person’ you tend to go to the same one every time and this creates friendship and trust,” she said.

“You end up knowing everything about them and people feel comfortable to disclose.

“Although I haven’t had a serious disclosure yet, I came here today to find out about the signs to look for and how to respond.”

The two-hour information sessions were held by Whitsunday Counselling and Support (WCS) who actively work within the community to provide services such as the Women’s Refuge.

“This project is just brilliant,” said Poppy Annear, Women’s Refuge Coordinator.

“Often it’s the final step that’s the hardest and encouraging them to make the final move.”

During the information sessions attendees were given tools to best respond to disclosures and advised on how to emotionally process hearing about the trauma.

They also received resources for their business detailing referral pathways.

Amanda Jensen from WCS facilitated the sessions and says she is happy to come to any salon or beauty parlour in the Whitsundays to give the same free talk to anyone who is interested in upskilling their team to handle disclosures.

Poppy Annear, Women’s Refuge Coordinator, with owner of The Beauty Room Airlie Beach, Charlotte Greenwood and Whitsunday Counselling and Support Manager, Amanda Jensen. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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