WORCESTER, Mass. - Proposed legislation by several Massachusetts representatives would require beauty workers, including those working at salons and barbershops in the state, to receive training on how to identify possible signs of domestic violence.

New Hope Inc. works with domestic abuse victims and their president Diana Mancera said it's an on-going issue that impacts people from all walks of life.

"One in three women and one in four men have experienced some type of like physical violence in there lifetime," Mancera said. "And the same thing is true in Massachusetts, so that's nationwide statistics, but also in Massachusetts it's exactly the same."

Mancera said people will often talk about their life problems in their hair care facilities, so it's a great environment to educate people on how to spot signs of bruising and other forms of harm.

"I think that it's important for us to have those conversations," she said. "And for them to be trained on how to recognize the signs of domestic violence and sexual assault, how to respond to it, because often times they maybe the first person that someone discloses abuse to."

Mancera said domestic violence is a topic that some people may avoid because it's uncomfortable. She hopes the training for the stylists and barbers will allow for more opportunities to address the issue.

"We don't want them to become counselors," Mancera said. "We don't want them to be advocates. We don't want them to do that, but we want them to be equipped to make the appropriate referral to the local domestic violence and sexual assault program."

The legislation would require people working in the beauty industry to undergo the one-hour training either in-person or virtually.