The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge

The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge

Allstate Foundation Purple Purse have made it fashionable to talk about domestic violence and the financial abuse that traps women in abusive relationships. The program sparks fundraising for more than 140 national, state and local domestic violence organizations. Funds raised will support life-changing financial empowerment services to help domestic violence survivors build safer lives for themselves and their families. Allstate Foundation Purple Purse aims to break the cycle of violence in our nation – one family at a time.

Domestic Violence and Financial Abuse

Did you know that domestic violence affects one in four women in her lifetime.  That is more women than breast cancer, ovarian cancer and lung cancer combined.   Most people when they hear domestic violence they think only of physical abuse.  That is not the case.  Financial abuse happens in 98% of all cases of domestic violence and is one of the most powerful ways to keep a victim trapped.

Domestic violence and financial abuse often go hand-in-hand.  Did you know that nearly 8 in 10 Americans have not heard much about financial abuse as a form of domestic violence?  The number one reason Domestic violence survivors stay, leave or return to an abusive relationship is because they don’t have the financial means to separate themselves.   Although two-thirds of Americans believe that domestic violence is a serious problem, just over 1 in 3 have ever talked about it.   Allstate Foundation Purple Purse aims to make it fashionable to talk about this problematic topic.

Join the Purple Purse Challenge

To make sure domestic violence survivors aren’t financially trapped in an abusive relationship you can help by joining the Purple Purse Challenge.  It’s time to open your heart and wallet to stand up for survivors and the organizations that serve them at PurplePurse.com.  The Allstate Foundation is investing more than $500,000 in the Purple Purse Challenge.  The more donations each nonprofit gets, the more it can compete for Allstate Foundation incentive funding.  You can make a difference by visiting PurplePurse.com between Sept. 2 and Oct. 3 to join the Challenge and help a nonprofit organization near you.

Kerry Washington – Purple Purse Ambassador

Kerry Washington, Emmy-nominated actress and domestic violence activist, is serving as a Purple Purse ambassador to help raise awareness for the cause and has designed a limited-edition purple purse. The purse was created to represent the center of a woman’s financial domain and to inspire women to reclaim their financial independence.

The Allstate Foundation is widely distributing Purple Purse charms, to turn any purse into a Purple Purse.  This will allow you to be able to show your support and attach to your favorite bags, totes, purses, carrying cases, or handbags, year round.  They are being distributed with inspiring survivor stories through Purple Purse Challenge participants and Allstate agency owners.  Donate at least $10 to any organization in the Purple Purse Challenge and you will be entered to win a daily drawing for one of three exclusive Kerry Washington designed purple purses. From now until October 3, 2014, there will be three winners each day.

Important Tips and Tools to Recognize Domestic Violence

To help you recognize domestic violence and financial abuse, PurplePurse.com has important tips and tools to be able to talk about it and end it.  Financial abuse is controlling an abused victim and they are under lock and key.  If her credit has been ruined, her chances of getting an apartment are slim to none.  If her abuser is constantly harassing her at work, she can lose her job.  And, crushing debt run up by an abuser means it could take a survivor and her children years to fully recover from abuse.  The Allstate Foundation has invested more than $40 million, since 2005 across the country to help domestic violence survivors regain control of their finances and break free from abuse.

Domestic Violence is a Pattern of Abusive Behaviors

Here are some things that you can look for.  They will often check in with their partner to report where they are and what they’re doing.  They may mention about their partner’s temper, jealousy, or possessiveness.  My receive frequent, harassing phone calls from their partner.  They may also seem afraid of or anxious to please their partner.

Let your friend know that there is support out there for them.  You cannot rescue your friend from an abusive relationship.  What you can do is let her know that she is not alone and that you care for her and are concerned about her.  Give her the resources to get the help that she needs.  She is the one that ultimately needs to take action.

There is new evidence from the Center on Violence Against Women and Children at Rutgers University School of Social Work that indicates boosting a survivor’s financial literacy, skills and resources can create a path toward long-term safety and security for survivors.

Please do not hesitate if you or someone you know needs immediate help.  Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

Disclosure: This post is part of a sponsored campaign with The Allstate Foundation and MomSelect. All thoughts and opinions are my own.