Why PurpleOne Trainings Matter: Building Communities That Know How to Respond

When people think about domestic violence or sexual violence services, they often picture crisis response—hotlines, shelters, counseling, or court advocacy. Those services are essential, but prevention and healing often begin much earlier.

For many survivors, the first person they tell is not an advocate. It may be a coworker, teacher, healthcare provider, pastor, friend, or someone else they trust. Sometimes disclosures are direct, and sometimes they come in the form of questions, hesitations, or small comments meant to test whether a person feels safe.

The response survivors receive in those moments matters.

Feeling believed, supported, and connected to resources can influence whether someone continues seeking help. Feeling dismissed or misunderstood may reinforce silence.

That is one reason community education is such an important part of the work we do at the Violence Prevention Center.

What is PurpleOne?

PurpleOne trainings help workplaces, schools, churches, healthcare offices, businesses, libraries, and community organizations better understand interpersonal violence and how to safely respond when someone may need support.

Trainings include topics such as:

• Understanding warning signs of abuse

• Recognizing barriers survivors face when seeking help

• Responding to disclosures without judgment

• Learning local resources and referral options

• Creating safer environments within organizations and communities

The goal is not to make participants experts.

The goal is to help communities become places where survivors feel safer asking for help.

Why training changes outcomes

Many survivors stay silent because they fear they will not be believed. Others worry they will be blamed, minimized, or pressured before they are ready to seek help.

The way communities respond matters.

When teachers, employers, healthcare providers, faith leaders, and community members have a better understanding of abuse and trauma, survivors are more likely to encounter support instead of judgment. A trained workplace may become the first safe place someone discloses. A librarian may know where to direct resources. A healthcare provider may recognize warning signs. Small moments of awareness can create meaningful opportunities for connection and support.

Melanie’s story: The impact of safe spaces

During a recent PurpleOne training, survivor Melanie participated in an activity centered on harmful messages and beliefs people often carry after experiencing trauma. Participants were invited to write down words that had been spoken over them or messages they had internalized.

Melanie filled nearly the entire page.

Later, she shared:

“Part of healing is accepting that this is my story. I hid for too long. I wish when I was going through this I had met someone who was as brave as I am now. I could have helped me.”

Her words reflect something many survivors experience: carrying pain in silence for years before feeling safe enough to speak.

Stories like Melanie’s are powerful reminders that healing is not only about surviving trauma. Healing also involves being seen, believed, and supported by safe people and safe communities.

Prevention happens before crisis

Violence prevention is often associated with responding after harm occurs, but prevention also happens through education, awareness, and community involvement.

Each PurpleOne training represents another group of people better equipped to recognize warning signs, respond compassionately, and connect individuals to resources. Over time, these efforts help create workplaces, schools, organizations, and communities where survivors are more likely to feel supported when they reach out.

The goal of PurpleOne is not simply awareness. The goal is to build communities where safety, support, and healing are more accessible for everyone.

If your workplace, organization, church, school, or community group is interested in hosting a PurpleOne training, the Violence Prevention Center would love to connect.

Together, we can continue creating communities where survivors are believed, supported, and connected to help.