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HAWC

Helping abused women, children, men, and nonbinary people live free from violence and fear

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  • Donate Now
  • Home
  • Domestic Violence
    • Is This Relationship Abusive?
    • Types of relationships
    • Myths about domestic violence
    • Why Leaving is Hard
    • Safety Tips
    • Help Someone You Know
    • Additional Resources
  • Services
    • 24-Hour Hotline
    • Advocacy & Education
    • Legal Advocacy
    • Hospital Advocacy
    • Children’s Services
    • Emergency Family Shelter
  • About HAWC
    • Annual Corporate Partnerships
    • Our Mission
    • Leadership Team and Board of Directors
    • Our Funders
    • Celebrating 40 Years
    • Careers
  • Give Help Now
    • Wish List
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    • Leave a Legacy
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Myths about domestic violence

There are a number of common myths about domestic violence. See if you know them all.

You are here: Home / Get Help Now / About Domestic Violence / Myths about domestic violence

Remember, it is still abuse even if


There isn’t any physical violence

Abuse takes many forms, and being emotionally or verbally attacked can be just as troubling as being physically hurt.

Physical attacks seem minor or infrequent

Any purposeful physical harm is a reason to be concerned. If abusers use physical violence once, they will likely do so again and with more force.

Physical abuse always stops when you become quiet

No one should need to give up the freedom to talk, move, and make decisions to remain safe.

You are the same sex

Though often undiscussed, the LGBTQ community sees rates of domestic violence comparable to the straight community. Abuse in several communities, including the LGBTQ community, communities of undocumented people, people with disabilities, and older adults, are more complicated because of systematic oppression.

You are a man, and your abuser is a woman

Despite the media often portraying women as the only victims of domestic violence, anyone can experience abuse. One in four men report experiencing abuse, but many do not seek help out of fear of looking less masculine or being belittled.

You are not in a romantic relationship

Abuse can occur in any relationship with a power imbalance, including relationships between people with disabilities or older adults with their caretakers.

You still love the person in this relationship

You decided to share your life and family with this person, so of course you want the violence to end without having to leave this person entirely. However, no person deserves to be subjected to abuse and no relationship is healthy when abuse occurs.

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HAWC Locations

HAWC serves 23 cities on Massachusetts’ North Shore from the five central locations listed below.

  • Salem, MA 978-744-8552
  • Gloucester, MA 978-283-8642
  • Lynn, MA 781-592-9900
  • North Shore Medical Center 978-354-4383
  • For 24-hour support, call our hotline at: 1-800-547-1649
  • Para apoyo llama nuestra linea de 24 horas a 1-800-547-1649.

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