Safe Places for Domestic
Violence Victims/Survivors
Every day in our communities, victims of domestic violence face barriers to receiving services: transportation, a lack of education, isolation, proximity, social stigmas. And the list goes on and on. Because of these barriers, more than 80% of victims never receive services. Domestic violence agencies can’t break down these barriers alone. They need the help of the entire community – to remove barriers, reduce social stigmas, educate community members and reach victims. Safe Places for Domestic Violence Victims help make this possible. These Safe Places are everyday businesses and organizations trained in how to safely recognize, respond to and refer victims of domestic violence. Safe Places are physical locations victims frequent and trust – places like hair salons, grocery stores, and social service agencies. Safe Places display a PurpleOne Dot in their door or window to let victims know they can receive domestic violence information and help get connected to their local state recognized domestic violence agency. In many cases, these locations and the people within the businesses are often familiar to the victim and closer to their home than a domestic violence agency. These Safe Places already have the trust of a victim and are locations that they may visit without attracting attention from the abuser. Safe Places build a lasting infrastructure of people helping people to transform lives. Safe Places also provide businesses and individuals a tangible way to help victims.
Become A Safe Place!
Organizations that have individuals who are PurpleOne Trained can apply to be Safe Places for Victims of Domestic Violence. These physical locations have individuals who are trained to Recognize. Respond. and Refer. victims of domestic violence. Victims can walk into these everyday locations to seek help.
What are Safe Places for Domestic Violence Victims
Safe Places have one or more individuals who have successfully completed the PurpleOne Training to Recognize. Respond to. and Refer. victims of domestic violence. These organizations have been trained to and have agreed to refer victims who enter their locations to the nearest state recognized, comprehensive domestic violence services agency in their area. The PurpleOne National office receives the applications for Safe Places and, with input from the local domestic violence agency in their area, screens the organization to ensure victim safety. Qualifications of Safe Places include:
One or more individuals at the organization have successfully completed the PurpleOne Training
The Safe Place applicant has a physical business address (no residences will be certified).
Willingness to refer the victim to the state-recognized agency in their area or is a state-recognized domestic violence agency.
To ensure a victim’s safety no active, pending or found charges of domestic violence or other criminal activity among the organization’s leadership at the time of application.
For more information on qualifications, please view the Safe Places application.
For questions on Safe Places, please contact us at 814.616.2330 or info@purpleone.org.
Safe Places for Domestic Violence Victims were established to help break down the proximity and trust barriers that victims face when seeking help. Safe Places are businesses and organizations throughout the community that have employees who are PurpleOne trained. The Safe Places display the PurpleOne Dot in their front window or door and are listed on the Safe Place Finder.
Why Safe Places
Victims have built trust with businesses in the community -- from their hairdresser to grocery stores to social service organizations. These organizations may be closer and easier to access than their local domestic violence agency. Further, they may not know where the local domestic violence agency is or even which organization(s) can help them.
How Do Safe Places Work
When victims enters a Safe Place, they can inconspicuously receive educational materials about domestic violence as well as receive referral information to the local comprehensive domestic violence services provider. Additionally, the network of Safe Places displaying PurpleOne Dots sends a message to victims that their community supports them and sends a message to abusers that their community is watching and does not tolerate domestic violence.
PurpleOne Partners Role in Establishing Safe Places
While Safe Places are approved by PurpleOne National, PurpleOne Partners play a critical role in building the Safe Place National Network. Partners provide the PurpleOne Training required for organizations to apply to become a Safe Place. Partners also have an opportunity to comment on the approval of each application for Safe Places found within their geographic territory.