Name change reflects new commitment at HAWC

SALEM – HAWC, the North Shore’s most recognized organization in the struggle against domestic violence, is changing its name after 30 years to reflect is expanded mission.Help for Abused Women and Their Children today was officially rechristened as Healing Abuse Working for Change.While the acronym remains the same, the organization’s logo will change as well.”Intimate partner abuse is not defined or limited by gender or sexual orientation. Men can be victims and women can be perpetrators. The tactics of a controlling and abusive partner whether male, female or transgender; straight or gay; married or dating, are similar. It is those behaviors that need to be named, confronted and changed to protect those who are targeted,” said Melanie Fleming, a HAWC spokeswoman.Candace Waldron, HAWC executive director, said the new name better aligns with the organization’s commitment to serve all those who are affected by domestic abuse.”HAWC has grown over 30 years, expanding our language capacity, cultural diversity and ability to work with those in same gender relationships so that we are better able to meet the needs of the diverse communities that we serve on the North Shore,” she said. “Our new name underscores HAWC’s two-fold mission: to support the healing process individuals and families go through as they work to free themselves from abuse and to change the social norms and individual behaviors that perpetuate violence and oppression.”HAWC is launching a contest in search of a new logo to reflect the new name. To assist logo designers, HAWC offers the following words, concepts and feelings that the logo should elicit. The words and concepts include: empowerment, advocacy, speaking up for, community-wide support, justice and social justice, holistic approach, listening to the client with humility, and acceptance of everyone.The logo should also reflect what the organization does, such as: advocate justice for everyone affected by domestic abuse; stand up against violence and abuse; lead violence prevention programs for all age groups; give information, build community-wide awareness about how domestic abuse destroys lives; accept and hold dear everyone harmed by domestic abuse; and instill hope.