In November 2014, Bernadette Smyth, founder of the Precious Life organisation, was found guilty of the harassment of Purvis,[5] but the verdict was later quashed.

[8] Purvis stood in Belfast South in the 2001 UK general election, finishing in sixth place with a total of 1112 votes (2.9%).

Her appointment was later criticised by the Democratic Unionist Party, because of the PUP's links with the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).

She polled 3045 votes (10.3%)[11] In 2011 Dawn left politics and became the Northern Ireland Programme Director with Marie Stopes International (MSI).

[12] In June 2010, Purvis resigned as leader, and as a member, of the PUP because of its relationship with the UVF and the murder of Bobby Moffet which was attributed to that group by the Independent Monitoring Commission.