October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Did you know that domestic violence affects 1 in 4 women in their lifetime? That’s more women than breast cancer, ovarian cancer and lung cancer combined! What’s even more heartbreaking is that in the U.S. on average, 3 women die EVERY day as a result. The lack of financial resources and/or knowledge is the number one reason why a victim will stay or return to an abusive relationship. Physical abuse is the type of domestic violence most commonly discussed, but what many people don’t realize is that women who are victims of domestic violence are usually subject to financial abuse as well. They often face financial restrictions and are given limited access, if any, to bank accounts, important documents, and information about shared assets.
The Allstate Foundation will donate up to $350,000 to YWCA for programs that support victims of domestic violence and build financial empowerment through the Purple Purse campaign.
What is Purple Purse?
As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, The Allstate Foundation created the Purple Purse campaign to urge people to openly talk about domestic violence. PurplePurse.com appears to be an online fashion magazine, but when the user looks deeper, she will find a safe place with life-changing information and resources to make it easier to talk about domestic violence and financial empowerment.
This month 1300 purple purses carrying domestic violence information will be distributed into communities. Each time one of the purses is passed and checked in at PurplePurse.com or it’s spanish site, BolsosMorado.com, the Allstate Foundation will donate $5 to YWCA to help survivors stop the cycle of abuse. The issue isn’t an easy one to talk about. Purple Purses were designed as conversations starters and to help get information into the hands of those who need it.
Visit PurplePurse.com to follow the purple purses on their journey around the country, and track the YWCA’s progress toward their goal to earn $350,000 from The Allstate Foundation and get tips to help you start talking about domestic violence.
Can’t get your hands on a Purple Purse? No worries! The Allstate Foundation is simultaneously launching virtual purple purses on Facebook to raise money for the YWCA on a national level. You can help! Every time a virtual purse is shared or re-shared on Facebook, a $5 donation will be made to YWCA. You can share this virtual purse by entering the code (0030) onto the map page on purplepurse.com / bolsomorado.com then entering your city and state to trigger the pin on the map.
For more information, visit www.purplepurse.com.
If you need 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.See Mommies With Cents disclosure policy for more details.
