Press Releases
Boozman, Blackburn, Duckworth Work to Encourage Domestic Violence Recognition, Reporting
Feb 18 2025
WASHINGTON––U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to introduce the bipartisan Supporting the Abused by Learning Options to Navigate Survivor (SALONS) Stories Act to promote domestic violence awareness and response training for cosmetologists and beauty professionals.
One in four women will be a victim of domestic violence in her lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Violent Death Reporting System data indicates three women were victims of homicide by an intimate partner every day from 2018-2021. The SALONS Stories Act preserves states’ autonomy in setting their cosmetology standards while incentivizing lifesaving support for abused and at-risk patrons.
“Domestic violence often goes underreported because victims are unable to confide in others and the signs of mistreatment can be difficult to identify,” said Boozman. “Cosmetologists, who routinely build trust and close familiarity with their clients, can help break down those barriers. Encouraging more states follow this example and adopt programs that help them recognize signs of domestic violence can bring victims one step closer to the resources and support needed to escape dangerous, abusive situations.”
“Domestic violence is a tragic epidemic in the United States, impacting millions of women every year who often suffer in silence,” said Blackburn. “Given their close relationship with their clients, beauty professionals have the unique opportunity to be a first line of defense against domestic violence by identifying the signs of abuse and helping victims and survivors escape dangerous situations. The SALONS Stories Act would help save the lives of vulnerable and isolated women across the country, and the nation should follow Tennessee’s lead by equipping cosmetologists to recognize and support victims of domestic violence.”
“Victims of domestic violence often don’t know where to turn or who to talk to, but they do often continue going to their salons—which puts beauty professionals in a unique position of potentially being among the first people who can recognize signs of abuse,” said Duckworth. “How they handle these critical moments could be life-saving.”
The SALONS Stories Act provides grants to states that have implemented initiatives requiring cosmetologists to undergo free and easily accessible domestic violence awareness training while preserving states’ autonomy in setting their cosmetology standards. Arkansas, Tennessee and Illinois have passed legislation requiring cosmetology students to complete training on recognizing the signs of domestic violence. The Arkansas law, passed in 2017, serves as a model for the nation, providing free, accessible training to cosmetologists.
The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).
The SALONS Stories Act is endorsed by the Professional Beauty Association, National Network to End Domestic Violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline and YWCA USA.
Click here for full text of the legislation.