Atty. Gen. Phill Kline is enlisting cosmetologists in the effort to detect and curb domestic violence.

Kline announced Wednesday that he was taking the “Salons of Hope” program statewide to raise awareness and encourage victims to seek help.

The program began in October in Wichita as a partnership between the Wichita Police Department and the YWCA. Kline said the program was effective because salon stylists are privy to bruises, bald spots and other signs of abuse others may not see.

“It is my hope that, by taking this initiative statewide, we will raise awareness of the dark secret of domestic violence and encourage victims of this abuse to seek help,” Kline said.

The program was announced at a series of news conferences in Wichita, Overland Park and Topeka.

There are an estimated 22,000 licensed cosmetologists and nail technicians working in 3,600 shops statewide. The Salons of Hope program will distribute information to suspected domestic violence victims, such as telephone numbers for crisis centers and safe houses.

The information also will be placed in restrooms where customers can get the information in private.