WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Boozman (R-AK), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) in introducing the bipartisan Supporting the Abused by Learning Options to Navigate Survivor (SALONS) Stories Act to incentivize domestic violence awareness training for cosmetologists and beauty professionals.
“With nearly 20 percent of Hawaii’s residents having experienced domestic violence, it’s critical we do more to prevent this violence and support survivors,” said Senator Hirono. “By expanding opportunities for beauty professionals to participate in domestic violence awareness training, the SALONS Stories Act would create another avenue survivors can turn to for help and support. I’m glad to join my colleagues in introducing this lifesaving legislation.”
According to a study done by the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, around 1 in 5 Hawaii residents experienced physical violence or threats. Of those surveyed, people of Native Hawaiian or Filipino descent, as well as members of the LGBTQ+ community experienced higher rates of domestic violence.
This legislation would provide grants to states that require cosmetologists to undergo domestic violence awareness training.
The SALONS Stories Act would provide the resources for domestic violence victim service providers to provide training that:
One in four women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime and in the United States alone, three women are killed each day by an intimate partner.
The SALONS Stories Act is endorsed by the Professional Beauty Association, National Network to End Domestic Violence, National Domestic Violence Hotline, Shear Haven, YWCA USA, and YWCA Nashville.
The full text of the legislation is available here.
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