(Oct. 27, 2017) -- A group of master of social work students in the advanced communities class at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is empowering hair stylists to help victims of domestic violence.
Their class project, Unmasked: Beyond the Chair, aims to help and prepare beauty professionals to identify victims of domestic abuse and provide them with community resources and support.
"I am very proud of the students," said Elizabeth Cruz, UTSA lecturer who teaches the class. "After I presented the idea, the students just ran with it. The goal is to empower beauty professionals to provide individuals who experience domestic violence an additional layer of support. We are mobilizing students to making a real impact in the community."
The class will host a community forum for beauticians and the public on Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at New Life Ministries of San Antonio, to educate beauty professionals on signs of domestic violence and to raise awareness about domestic abuse. The community will have a chance to learn valuable resources and ways to provide support.
The students also are raising funds to present a training program for local beauticians that will teach them the necessary skills to help clients who may be victims.
"We believe this curriculum can be a very powerful tool because of the relationship between beauticians and their clients," said Devon Bailey, master of social work student in the advanced communities course. "This curriculum would help victims of domestic violence by allowing them to share intimate conversations, often uncomfortable, and connect them to resources so they know they aren't alone. For a person experiencing intimate partner violence, just knowing they have another ally in their corner could make a huge difference."
UTSA is ranked among the nation’s top four young universities, according to Times Higher Education.
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