Workplace violence affects over two million workers each year. Prevention isn’t optional – it’s urgent.

This 4-part webinar series delivers the knowledge, tools and expert guidance you need to recognize threats, respond effectively and protect your people—all in focused, one-hour sessions.

Led by a former U.S. Secret Service threat expert and a national domestic violence advocate, these sessions combine powerful stories with practical strategies you can use immediately.

Session 1: WVP 101 – Understanding What Workplace Violence Prevention Is and Why It Matters | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT

Workplace violence impacts more than 2 million workers annually, and the need for prevention has never been more urgent. In this introductory session, we define workplace violence, explore where and how it occurs, and present the compelling business case for embedding workplace violence prevention (WVP) into organizational strategy. We’ll also provide an overview of evolving legal mandates, including California Senate Bill 553 — the first law in the nation requiring most employers to have a written WVP plan.

Learning Objectives:

• Define the four recognized types of workplace violence. 

• Identify where workplace violence occurs and the common risk factors. 

• Understand the operational and financial costs of not having a WVP plan. 

• Learn about SB 553 and why similar laws may soon expand across the U.S. 

Begin to build the case for an integrated, proactive WVP strategy in your organization.

Session 2: The Impact of Domestic Violence in Your WVP Plan | 12:00 – 1:00 PM CDT

Domestic violence affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men — and these private experiences often follow individuals into the workplace. In this compelling session, Ashley Bendiksen shares her personal survivor story and provides crucial education on how domestic violence manifests in work settings. Attendees will leave with tools to recognize warning signs, respond effectively, and create supportive environments that promote safety, trust, and wellbeing. 

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the prevalence, types, and workplace consequences of domestic violence. 

• Identify red flags and behavioral indicators of abuse. 

• Understand how abuse impacts employee safety, morale, and productivity. 

• Learn how to support affected employees while managing risk and liability. 

• Explore policies and culture shifts to make your workplace part of the solution. 

• Gain insights into managing abusive behaviors and navigating difficult conversations. 

Session 3: Building a Best Practice WVP Plan – 8 Critical Steps for Success | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

This session provides a step-by-step blueprint for developing a comprehensive WVP program. Drawing from decades of experience supporting Fortune 500 companies, federal agencies, and nonprofits, Matt Doherty outlines the 8 critical elements needed for an effective plan — from building a multidisciplinary team to conducting threat assessments and training your workforce. This is your guide to turning policy into practice. 

Learning Objectives: 

• Understand the 8 core elements of a best-in-class WVP program. 

• Learn how to form and equip a multidisciplinary threat management team. 

• Gain strategies to identify, assess, and mitigate threats before escalation. 

• Discover how to embed WVP into your culture to support safety and retention. 

• Understand how to align your plan with emerging laws and industry standards. 

Session 4: From Bystanders to Upstanders – Creating a Culture of Early Reporting | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Why do some employees speak up and others remain silent? In this powerful closing session, Matt Doherty explores how trust, culture, and leadership affect employee willingness to report concerns. Drawing on research and case studies from his tenure at the U.S. Secret Service, this session offers proven strategies to encourage early intervention and shift your culture from passive bystanding to proactive upstanding. 

Learning Objectives: 

• Understand the psychological and cultural barriers to reporting. 

• Examine case studies illustrating why concerns were or weren’t reported. 

• Learn how to build a climate of trust that supports early intervention. 

• Equip employees to recognize and report warning signs confidently. 

• Promote a workplace culture where shared responsibility for safety is the norm.