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Illinois stylists to be trained in domestic violence support

QUINCY, Ill. (AP) - Illinois has a new law requiring all hairstylists in the state to be trained in domestic violence support and response.

The law will take effect Jan. 1, the Herald-Whig (http://bit.ly/2gduKtI) reported.

Pin-Up Hair Studio stylist Jamie Feramisco said hairdressers sometimes learn about incidents of domestic violence through chatting with clients. She said she often hears accounts of domestic violence in her salon and that she tries to support women facing such circumstances.

The mandate was passed as an amendment to the Barber, Cosmetology, Hair Braiding and Nail Technology Act of 1985. The legislation aligns the Professional Beauty Association's Cut It Out program, which pushes similar efforts.

"The salon is a safe place to go. People tell their stylists things they don't even tell their family or friends," PBA Director of Charitable Programs Rachel Molepske said. "We have gotten testimonials from people that said this program saved them."

Feramisco said she plans to host a training session at the salon once the state has established a curriculum.

"The whole idea is to help hairdressers deal with disclosures. There is a right way and a wrong way to talk to someone. It can make or break the way a person handles their assault," Quanada Prevention Educator JJ Magliocco said. "We are teaching them that they can make a difference. They don't have to keep their mouth shut."

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The legislation is HB4264.

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Information from: The Quincy Herald-Whig, http://www.whig.com

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