Of all the yearly music traditions that are slowly reemerging from a two-year slumber, Rock for HAWC might be among the most important. The annual benefit for Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC) returns to Salem this Friday and Saturday (March 18 and 19), pairing sets from homegrown rock artists with one of the North Shore’s greatest resources for domestic violence survivors.
The sixth iteration of the event takes over Koto on Friday, featuring sets from Skytigers, Muck and the Mires, The Downhauls, Wired for Sound, and Carissa Angelo; while Saturday night’s offering at Opus includes performances from The Devil’s Twins, Salem Wolves, Bad Larrys, Coffin Salesman, and Radio Compass. Half of the proceeds from the door, in addition to all the money raised from a raffle, will be donated directly to HAWC.
“The need [for funds and assistance] is even stronger now,” says Radio Compass’ Angela Lee, founder and co-organizer of the event. With a carer background in human services — specifically, PTSD and trauma — she has a keen understanding of how HAWC positively impacts Salem and the surrounding communities.
“We all know the pandemic interrupted a lot of things, and unfortunately abuse wasn’t one of them,” she tells Vanyaland. “Rates of abuse increased dramatically during the pandemic and you see this even more in marginalized populations. There’s been this big surge globally, then nationwide — from what was reported — it’s at least an eight percent increase after lockdown in the U.S. That’s pretty significant.”
The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic sparked important conversations about the mental repercussions of quarantines, especially for people who live with an abusive partner or family member. For folks in those situations, work, errands, or hobbies might have offered an escape from danger at home — yet for the past two years, such excuses to “get out” have been sparse. The grim situation makes HAWC’s work even more vital.
“A new study shows about one in four women had experienced physical or sexual violence by a longterm partner — and this was data from before the pandemic (2000-2018),” Lee adds. “You add in less access to resources, isolation, substance abuse, depression…all those things that had a major uptick in the past couple of years. There’s so much more need. The more funds these organizations have, the more they can offer people in need.”
In keeping with past tradition, Lee be selling zines packed with information about this year’s performers and domestic violence resources. She also encourages folks who can’t attend either show to donate directly to HAWC via their website.
“The more educated and resourced we are as a community, the better position we are in to address, treat, heal, and put an end to this kind of thing,” Lee concludes.
6TH ANNUAL ROCK FOR HAWC :: Friday, March 18 at Koto, 90 Washington St. in Salem, MA, and Saturday, March 19 at Opus, 87 Washington St. in Salem, MA :: 8 p.m. both nights; $12 per show, $20 for both shows :: Facebook event page
