BARBICIDE®takes its commitment to safety and education seriously. The global pandemic of COVID-19 has exposed the hidden pandemic of domestic violence, and beauty industry professionals are in a unique position to combat both of these public health emergencies. BARBICIDE is proud to partner with a Tennessee-based nonprofit in an effort to bring domestic violence education to the worldwide beauty industry. 

YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee has worked in the domestic violence arena for four decades and operates the largest emergency domestic violence shelter in Tennessee. A few years ago, the organization created the Shear Haven Domestic Violence Training with volunteer Susanne Post to educate the local beauty community on domestic abuse. Post is a survivor of domestic violence and a licensed cosmetologist and salon owner in Nashville, TN. She knows first-hand that stylists are in a unique position to recognize signs of abuse, respond to clients and co-workers in need, and refer them to available resources. Post and YWCA educators have trained more than 100 beauty professionals with in-person sessions at area salons. 

COVID-19 has changed the way the Shear Haven training is delivered. Post and the YWCA created a training video to continue educating practitioners about the hidden pandemic of domestic violence. Following a Facebook Live interview between BARBICIDE Director of Education Leslie Roste, RN, BSN and Post in the early days of the pandemic, BARBICIDE offered to host this training on its website as a public service to reach a much broader audience than Nashville. Much like the BARBICIDE COVID-19 Certification, the Shear Haven training will have a post-training quiz and certificate.  

“Domestic violence victims have been trapped with partners whose controlling, abusive, and often violent behavior has been hidden during these many months of quarantine. A trip to the salon might be the first opportunity for victims to share in a confidential conversation what's been happening in the home.” Leslie Roste stated.

BARBICIDE offers the Shear Haven Domestic Violence training on barbicide.com, along with many other different educational resources outside the norm of their standard disinfection and infection control curriculum.

About YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee: For 122 years, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee has helped women, girls and families in Nashville and Middle Tennessee build safer, more self-sufficient lives. YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Programs include Domestic Violence Services and the Weaver Domestic Violence Center, Girls Inc. at YWCA, AMEND Together, Dress for Success, and the Family Learning Center. For more information, visit https://ywcanashville.com, follow us on twitter @YWCANashville and find us on Facebook facebook.com/YWCANashville.