The Allstate Foundation’s Purple Purse Challenge #PurplePurse

Since 2005, The Allstate Foundation has invested more than $40 million across the country to help domestic violence survivors regain control of their finances and break free from abuse.  New evidence from the Center on Violence Against Women and Children at Rutgers University School of Social Work indicates that boosting a survivor’s financial literacy, skills and resources can create a path toward long-term safety and security for survivors.

That’s why The Allstate Foundation is taking action. With the expertise that comes from being the corporate foundation of a financial services company, Allstate Foundation Purple Purse helps provide both supporters and survivors with the financial knowledge, skills and resources they need to get safe, stay safe and thrive.

WHY PURPLE PURSE?

Two-thirds of Americans believe that domestic violence is a serious problem, yet just more than 1 in 3 have ever talked about it. Allstate Foundation Purple Purse is making it fashionable to talk about domestic violence and the financial abuse that traps women in abusive relationships. The program ignites 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 affects one in four women in her lifetime1 – that’s more women than breast cancer, ovarian cancer and lung cancer combined. Most people think only of physical abuse when they consider domestic violence, yet financial abuse happens in 98% of all cases of domestic violence2. Domestic violence and financial abuse often go hand-in-hand, but nearly 8 in 10 Americans have not heard 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 that they don’t have the financial resources to break free.

Domestic violence affects one in four women in her lifetime – that’s more women than breast cancer, ovarian cancer and lung cancer combined.

Most people think only of physical abuse when they consider domestic violence. Yet, 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, but 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 that they don’t have the financial resources to break free.

Allstate Foundation Purple Purse aims to make it fashionable to talk about this difficult topic.

You can help ensure domestic violence survivors – likely someone you know – aren’t financially trapped in an abusive relationship by joining the Purple Purse Challenge. 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 half a million dollars in the Purple Purse Challenge. The more donations each nonprofit gets, the more it can compete for Allstate Foundation incentive funding. Go to PurplePurse.com between Sept. 2 and Oct. 3 to join the Challenge and help a nonprofit near you.

Emmy-nominated actress Kerry Washington is lending her voice to the Purple Purse program this year to encourage people to talk openly about domestic violence and financial literacy. An activist, Washington was appointed by President Barack Obama to the President’s Committee of the Arts and Humanities in 2009. She is also an active member of the V-Counsel, an esteemed group of advisors to V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women and girls.

 To try and wing this purse just go here https://www.crowdrise.com/PurplePurseChallenge and donate at least $10!

 Disclosure: This post is part of a sponsored campaign with The Allstate Foundation and The Allstate Foundation‘s Purple Purse Challenge