NASHVILLE, TN – Sept. 23, 2024 – Domestic Violence Awareness Month begins on October 1. It’s a time for communities across the U.S. to recognize and raise awareness around the crisis of domestic Violence. In advance of DV Awareness Month, Shear Haven is excited to announce that its free, online training program, which educates beauty professionals on the signs of domestic abuse, is now available in Spanish and Vietnamese. This expansion aims to provide critical resources to a wider audience and empower more salon professionals to recognize and respond to signs of domestic violence effectively.

"Translating the Shear Haven training into Spanish and Vietnamese is a monumental step in reaching more individuals who may be experiencing domestic violence,” said Susanne Shepherd Post, co-founder of Shear Haven and a domestic violence survivor. “By providing this training in multiple languages, we are not only equipping more beauty professionals with the tools they need to help their clients, but we are also potentially saving lives."

BARBICIDE®, a longtime partner of Shear Haven, originally hosted the training on its website, contributing significantly to its global reach. To date, more than 125,000 beauty professionals around the world have completed the 20-minute training. The course is now hosted at www.shearhaventraining.org, where it continues to make a profound impact.

The translation of the Shear Haven training into Spanish and Vietnamese was made possible through the generous support of TransPerfect, a leading provider of language and technology solutions.

"TransPerfect has partnered with Shear Haven to live out our organization’s core commitment to equity, inclusion, and the advancement of women,” said Hannah Stell, Sr. Account Manager with TransPerfect. “We’re honored to lend our expertise to promote empowerment and education across languages, and help this crucial organization make the greatest impact."

Shear Haven is a program of YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee. Its mission is to provide salon professionals with the knowledge and confidence to safely refer clients to resources and support. The training covers the warning signs of domestic abuse, how to safely approach the topic with clients, and how to connect them with local resources.

For those in need of help or support from domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

About YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee

YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. We support women, children, and families through a variety of programs that provide safety, support, and empowerment.

Media Contact:

Michelle Mowery Johnson | michelle.moweryjohnson@ywcanashville.com | 615-424-0544
VP Strategic Communicatoins & Advocacy | YWCA Nashville & Middle TN