Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Against Domestic Violence

* This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Campaign and Latina Bloggers Connect

This week, instead of a giveaway, it’s more like a “give back”. While there is a freebie involved thanks to the Allstate Foundation, it’s way more than that.

In light of the recent events int the news involving NFL player, Ray Rice, and his abhorrent actions against his then fiance, now wife, this campaign could not come at a better time or be more poignant. Women, all over the world, are still being mistreated and abused and with the help of campaigns like this, awareness and assistance for women in homes where domestic violence is prevalent and frequent.

The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Campaign 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. 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. The purse was created to represent the center of a woman’s financial domain and to inspire women to reclaim their financial independence.

From offering adorable purse tassels for supporters to proudly sport on their own purses and bags to raising an incredible amount of funds to help women in need, Allstate is a leader in helping the voiceless have a loud roar. With women’s crusader Kerry Washington at the helm this year, her own limited-edition purple purse design and her passion for this cause, this year is the year to get the word out and squash this terrible trend.

Here are a few scary statistics:

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.
Two-thirds of Americans believe that domestic violence is a serious problem, yet just over 1 in 3 have ever talked about it. 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. PurplePurse.com also has important tips and tools to help you recognize domestic violence and financial abuse, talk about it and end it.

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.

Be sure to check out the website, donate and promote and also receive your Purple Purse Tassel to wear proudly, turning your own bag into that symbolic Purple Purse.

Let’s come together and put a stop to this once and for all!

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.