Uniting Voices.
Empowering Action.
Ending Domestic Violence.
An important Domestic Violence Conference.
Ambassador Banquet | Erie, PA | May 7, 2026 | 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Strengthening the Response to Domestic Violence
Join hundreds of dedicated professionals and community members for a powerful and inspiring one-day conference. This event is hosted in partnership with leading organizations including PurpleOne, Safe Journey, the Gabby Petito Foundation, and Looped Solutions. Our collaborative goal is to explore, educate, and strategize on how community members and first responders can significantly strengthen and enhance their collective response to domestic violence.
The conference represents a unique opportunity to bring together a comprehensive coalition of individuals who share a common, critical goal: creating safer, more responsive communities for all.
It’s more than just a conference—it’s a call to action.
Our goal is to bring together professionals, community members, and leaders to strengthen our shared response to domestic violence. Together, we aim to:
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Empower communities and first responders with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to recognize, respond to, and safely support victims of domestic violence.
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Foster collaboration among local partners—law enforcement, healthcare, advocacy, education, and business—to create safer, more connected communities.
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Promote innovative solutions through technology, education, and awareness that bridge gaps in communication and enhance victim safety.
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Inspire action and hope by amplifying survivor voices and transforming awareness into meaningful change.
Event Details
Attendees include a diverse range of professionals and advocates.
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Advocates and Community Leaders: Those on the front lines providing direct support and driving change.
Law Enforcement and First Responders: Including police officers, sheriffs, state troopers, and other law enforcement personnel.
Emergency Services Personnel: Fire fighters, EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians), EMS (Emergency Medical Service) personnel, and 911 operators, all critical initial points of contact.
Healthcare and Mental Health Professionals: Doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, and therapists who treat the physical and psychological toll of abuse.
Judicial and Educational Professionals: Judges, court personnel, educators, and school administrators.
Business Leaders and Faith Leaders: Influencers within the community who can provide resources and spread awareness.
Community Members: Including professionals like hair stylists, bank personnel, and others who are uniquely positioned to recognize and report signs of abuse in their daily interactions.
You’ll Gain actionable strategies and solutions.
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Learn About Practical, Evidence-Based Tools: Gain hands-on training and learn about existing resources that can be immediately implemented in your professional and personal life to intervene safely and effectively.
Hear from Passionate and Experienced Leaders: Listen to powerful presenters and participate in sessions led by experts in trauma-informed care, domestic violence prosecution, survivor advocacy, and community mobilization.
Foster Meaningful Collaboration: Engage in dynamic discussions and networking opportunities that build lasting bridges between various sectors—from law enforcement to mental health and community service agencies.
Be Part of a Movement: Join a growing, dedicated collective that is actively working to change the paradigm of how society responds to and, most importantly, prevents domestic violence.
Your attendance and active participation are the first steps in working together, to create a tangible, lasting change in the lives of victims and contribute to the safety and well-being of every person in our communities.
Keynote Speaker Nichole Schmidt, Gabby Petito’s Mother, Foundation President & Co-Founder'
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Nichole Schmidt, mother of Gabby Petito, will share an unforgettable keynote address —Gabby’s Story. Gabby, 22, went missing on a cross-country road trip in 2021 and was strangled to death by her abusive boyfriend, a tragic act of domestic violence that attracted national attention. Through her personal journey of unimaginable loss, Nichole will illuminate the urgent reality of domestic violence, transforming grief into action. Her message will inspire attendees to turn awareness into advocacy, education into prevention, and community into change. By honoring Gabby’s memory, Nichole’s work underscores that no one else should have to lose their life to domestic violence. Her address will set the tone for a day of collaboration, empowerment, and the unwavering belief that together, we can save lives.
Training Presenter Jim Schmidt, Gabby Petito’s Stepfather, Foundation Secretary
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Develop a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics, patterns, and impact of domestic violence on individuals and families.
Equip community members and first responders including 911 dispatchers, Fire/EMS, and law enforcement with practical skills for ensuring scene safety, assessing risk, and engaging in effective communication with victims and involved parties.
Promote the use of trauma-informed approaches, with emphasis on recognizing and responding to signs of strangulation and other high-risk indicators.
Examine the short and long-term effects of physical and psychological trauma on the brain, behavior, and memory to improve responder interactions and support.
Strengthen the ability to identify subtle indicators of victimization and provide victim-centered, culturally responsive care.
Provide guidance on connecting individuals to appropriate local and national domestic violence resources.
Enhance interagency coordination and encourage collaborative response strategies across disciplines.
Facilitate critical discussions that support peer learning, reflective practice, and the development of consistent, community-specific response plans.
Our Partners
Safe Journey
Safe Journey is the local PurpleOne Partner providing free and confidential direct services and outreach to adult and child survivors of domestic violence in rural Erie County, where services are not easily accessible.
Looped Solutions
Looped Solutions provides cutting-edge technology solutions, including the Looped Fusion Purple™ SafePlace QR platform, to enhance communication and safety for domestic violence victims and service providers.
Gabby Petito Foundation
The Gabby Petito Foundation is dedicated to keeping the memory of Gabby Petito alive by addressing the root causes of domestic violence and providing aid to victims through education, awareness, and prevention strategies.
Support the Mission
Together, we are creating communities united against domestic violence!
Your sponsorship commitment will help to support the mission to drive change to end domestic violence.
