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DA Ryan Trains Cosmetology Students on the Signs of Domestic Violence

Posted on: January 26, 2015 - 11:36am

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan spoke to 100 students who are learning to be salon professionals at the Elizabeth Grady School Of Esthetics And Massage Therapy in Medford at the academy’s campus on Friday, January 23.

District Attorney Ryan told the class that in their careers they will be in a unique position in which they may be able to help a victim of domestic violence.

“Some day you will have a client and you will notice that the client may have pain when she puts her head back for you to wash her hair, or you may notice that her spouse seems controlling and always comes into the salon, or you may notice bruise marks on your client’s skin,” said District Attorney Ryan.  “These could all be possible signs that the client is suffering from abuse.” 

District Attorney Ryan advised students to “serve as a bridge” for clients, “I am not asking you to confront the abuser or to make judgments about a client’s relationship; only to help facilitate getting the client the help she or he may need by offering a referral.”

Following questions from students in the audience, the District Attorney added, “The relationships you develop with your clients are frequently long term.  You will become a trusted confidant.  You will hear things the client may not tell anyone else.  If you sense something is wrong, ask an open ended question such as, ‘Is everything okay?’”

Following the workshop, District Attorney Ryan joined students and elected officials for photographs.  Seen in this photograph with the District Attorney are State Representative Christine Barber, State Representative Paul Donato, and several students.

The workshop at Elizabeth Grady was one of several training sessions District Attorney Ryan hosts in Middlesex County each  year in the “Cut It Out” program.  This program teaches individuals in the field of personal care services and law enforcement officers how to identify signs of domestic violence and how to safely refer possible victims to local community service providers to get help.