Our Story & Mission

The Purple Flower, established in 2014, contributes to an ecosystem of community care committed to the safety and dignity of all by providing support, advocacy, resources, education and empowerment to break cycles of violence and heal trauma from domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking in Carroll County, AR.

How We Began

On Dec 31, 2012, a young mother, Laura Aceves, lost her life trying to escape her abuser. She was murdered, with her 4 month old child left by her side. At that time, we learned there were no services for victims in the county.

The Purple Flower grew out of a response to Laura’s death, so that no more people would be without help in Carroll County, AR.

Today

Fourteen years later, The Purple Flower remains the only organization in Carroll County entirely dedicated to supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

We don’t work in isolation. We lead a coordinated community response—partnering with law enforcement, the courts, medical teams, and first responders to ensure that individuals facing crisis can retain their dignity, access immediate legal protections, and safely navigate complex systemic paths.

Our trauma-informed staff provides everything from immediate 24/7 crisis intervention and emergency transportation to long-term court advocacy, support groups, and economic empowerment. We meet survivors at the point of crisis and walk alongside them until they reach independent, thriving futures.