Cosmetology & Culinary Students Receive Domestic Violence Training

WOBURN - Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that a domestic violence prevention program has been completed in Lexington for students enrolled in Cosmetology and Culinary Arts classes at Minuteman High School. The program, “Cut It Out,” teaches salon professionals to recognize warning signs of domestic violence so they may safely refer clients, friends, family and co-workers to local resources. After a speaking program, the Minuteman students used their professional skills to provide beauty tips and treatments to more than a dozen domestic violence survivors who visited the school from local shelters. Joining District Attorney Ryan at the event were Minuteman High School Superintendent Dr. Edward Bouquillon and Minuteman Interim Principal Jack Dillon.

“This program seeks to provide students with information at the earliest stage of their careers," said District Attorney Ryan. "We seek to give the students the knowledge and confidence needed to be the bridge between victims and community-based domestic violence programs. Salon and culinary professionals can play important roles in helping to support clients who may be coping with domestic violence."

Domestic violence survivors who attended the event received manicures, hair styling, other personal services from the students and were provided with a complimentary lunch. The survivors have been receiving services from two community based non-profit programs: The Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence and REACH Beyond Domestic Violence.

“ATASK is really grateful to District Attorney Ryan and the wonderful students at Minuteman for offering their services to survivors of domestic violence,” said Dawn Sauma, Interim Co-Executive Director of the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence. “The women really enjoyed being pampered, a luxury not often available, though greatly needed. Survivors expressed how 'fun it was to see everyone happy' and 'get their nails and hair done.' The Cut It Out event is something that our survivors looked forward to, and they very much appreciated the day.”

“A salon professional becomes part of our trusted circle – we have a tendency to share a lot with him or her as they cut or style our hair or tweeze our brows and such,” said Laura Van Zandt, Executive Director of REACH Beyond Domestic Violence. “The students from Minuteman will be better prepared for what is entrusted to them, and better equipped to respond and offer support and resources. We think it is wonderful that District Attorney Ryan created this opportunity.”

One survivor who attended the program added, “Thank you to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the wonderful students at Minuteman. I’m impressed at how welcoming and friendly everyone was, and I love my new hairstyle. Let me take another selfie!”

The “Cut It Out” program, an initiative of the Professional Beauty Association Foundation, was developed and first implemented in 2002 in Birmingham, Alabama.

District Attorney Ryan brought “Cut It Out” to Middlesex County in 2009, creating a localized version of the program by partnering first with vocational high schools. “Cut It Out Middlesex” has since expanded to include partnerships with Empire Beauty School, Elizabeth Grady, and several private salons. To date, District Attorney Ryan’s program has trained close to 1,200 students and professionals across Middlesex County.