INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Brazilian Ministry of Health define violence as a multi-causal phenomenon with multiple manifestations whose outcomes affect the healthcare sector, among others. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to identify perceptions of violence among professionals in a primary healthcare service. METHODS: The methodology was qualitative, identifying social representations of violence. Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted and audio-taped. The content was analyzed for recurrent core themes in the subjects'statements. RESULTS: Regardless of their training, the professionals acknowledged the plural nature of violence and emphasized its manifestations. However, they displayed a lack of preparedness to deal with violence, thus reflecting their essentially biomedical training. Violence in the community in question is underreported, since the local population is intimidated by the problem, and health professionals are unprepared to deal with it. CONCLUSION: Underreported violence in this community reveals weaknesses in the healthcare system to train professionals and organize multidisciplinary care, thus justifying the inclusion of violence on the public health agenda.