District Attorney Ryan Hosts a Cut It Out Training at Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School

WAKEFIELD – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan hosted a Cut It Out training today for approximately 100 cosmetology, health assisting and dental assisting students at Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School on ways to recognize the signs of domestic abuse and how to safely refer clients to local community service providers. District Attorney Ryan was also joined by Wakefield Chief of Police Richard Smith, Wakefield Town Administrator Steven Maio and Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School Principal Carla Scuzzarella.

Participants in the training learned how to spot signs of domestic violence and how to safely refer clients to local community service providers. This training is part of the public-private partnership started by District Attorney Ryan in 2009 to bring the national domestic violence prevention program Cut It Out to high school vocational programs, professional training academies and private salons across Middlesex County. The program also introduces and aligns participants with domestic violence service agencies, as well as specialized domestic violence officers from local police departments.

In an effort to expand Cut It Out training across the Commonwealth, District Attorney Ryan has partnered with State Representative Christine Barber to spearhead legislation that would require licensed aestheticians, barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, hairdressers, manicurists, and massage therapists to complete one hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness training upon receiving or renewing their license to practice.

Domestic violence is a major public safety and public health issue. The World Health Organization estimates that one in three women experience sexual or physical violence. This new bill recognizes the value of expanding education about domestic violence and sexual assault in a community setting. Under the new bill licensed practitioners would be protected from any criminal or civil liability.

Cut It Out Middlesex started at local vocational and technical high school training programs to create awareness around the issue of domestic violence at the earliest stage of students’ professional development. The Cut It Out program was conceived and first implemented in 2002 in Alabama and has become the national program of the Salons Against Domestic Abuse Fund, which is dedicated to mobilizing salon professionals and others to recognize signs of abuse and to fight the epidemic of domestic violence in communities across the United States. To date, District Attorney Ryan has trained over 2,000 individuals through the Cut It Out Program.

For more information or to inquire about how to bring Cut It Out Middlesex training to your salon, contact Director of Community Partnerships Shawn MacMaster at 781-897-8300.