Soft Misogyny, Part II: No Good Deed……..
In 2003, Alabama hairdressers were trained in domestic abuse so that they could assist their clients who found themselves in abusive intimate relationships. The program, a creation of the Women’s Fund of Birmingham and the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence, spread across the country thanks to the National Cosmetology Association. Training programs have reached hundreds of volunteer salon workers, training them in how to talk with and help clients experiencing domestic violence. CUT IT OUT Salons Against Domestic Abuse is, according to its website, “dedicated to mobilizing salon professionals and others to fight the epidemic of domestic abuse in communities across the U.S. by building awareness and training salon professionals to recognize warning signs and safely refer clients, colleagues, friends and family to local resources.”
Now two Illinois legislators are proposing a law that would require cosmetologists to take mandatory domestic violence training as part of license retention. Setting aside the inadequacy of the proposed one hour of training, the proposed legislation is an interesting example of the soft misogyny addressed earlier this week. What began as a voluntary effort is at risk now of becoming an obligation. And who are the targets of this legislation? Primarily women. Under the law, nail technicians, hairdressers and cosmetologists would be subject to the training. Absent from the list are barbers. Once more the women are given responsibility for addressing what is a predominantly male problem. For every female survivor of abuse who frequents a hair salon, a male survivor or male perpetrator is sitting in the barber’s chair.
Could these legislators think of other professionals who should be required to receive domestic violence training? Judges, doctors and lawyers come to mind. Yet, “Say No More”, a Chicago organization dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault, supports the bill proving Prof. Dunlap’s point that sometimes advocates for survivors fail to anticipate the unintended consequences.
At hearings on the proposal, one lone representative, Chicago City Alderman Willie B. Cochran, attempted to turn the focus to the vital resources needed by survivors. No response was had. Cochran noted the complexity of domestic abuse and the financial and other supports desperately needed by survivors. In a local report of the hearings, writer Phil Kadner said that “Cochran’s concerns about providing adequate support for victims of domestic violence should not be ignored. Good intentions are wonderful. But follow-through is essential and often lacking, even when government officials are well-intentioned.” Soft misogyny indeed.