purple purse

Did you know that domestic violence happens more than 145 times each hour in the U.S., and on average, three women die every day as a result? Or that domestic violence affects one in four women in their lifetime — that’s more women than breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and lung cancer combined. One of those women could be your friend, your neighbor, your sister, or even you. But it’s still hard to talk about and only about half of Americans say they would know how to help a victim of domestic violence.

Domestic Violence Awareness and Purple Purse

As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, Purple Purse, The Allstate Foundation’s symbol for domestic violence, proudly represents a woman’s way to escape the cycle of abuse by gaining financial independence.  Now in its third year, The Allstate Foundation’s Purple Purse campaign has pledged to donate up to $350,000 to the YWCA for programs designed at assisting survivors of domestic violence and other women in need.

Domestic violence is an issue that impacts millions, but few talk about it. Purple Purse helps people carry on conversations and pass information about domestic violence and financial abuse by placing the power directly into people’s hands with a purple purse.

Since lack of financial knowledge and resources is the number one indicator of whether a domestic violence victim will stay, leave, or return to an abusive relationship the Allstate Foundation will donate $5 to YWCA for ever purple purse passed through the end of October. They will give up to $350,000 for programs aimed to help domestic violence survivors and stop the cycle of abuse.

Visit Facebook or PurplePurse.com for more information.

Taking action against domestic violence is simple — Purple Purse: Pass It On!

  • 1,300 purple purses filled with domestic violence information and facts will be distributed throughout the U.S. Each purse has a goal of being passed between family, friends, community leaders, celebrities, media, and Allstate employees and agents sparking important conversations and raising awareness. The Allstate Foundation will donate $5 each time a purse is passed and checked-in at PurplePurse.com or their Spanish language site, BolsoMorado.com.
  • Visit PurplePurse.com to follow the purple purses on their journey around the country, 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.
  • If you don’t get your hands on one of the purple purses that are being passed around the country, you can still help by logging onto Facebook.com/PurplePurse and sharing a virtual purple purse.

BSM Virtual Purse Pass Card

If you need immediate help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or  

TTY 1-800-787-3224.

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More info on domestic violence and how you can get info or help:

What can I do to get involved in helping survivors and stop the cycle of abuse?

One of the easiest ways to get involved is to talk about the issue of domestic violence openly with your friends and family. It’s a tough issue to discuss and the Purple Purse program aims to make those conversations a little easier.  You can also visit our partners’ websites, www.ywca.org and www.nnedv.org, for more information on how to support the cause.

Can I make a monetary donation to the program?

The Allstate Foundation cannot accept monetary donations from the public, but those who are interested in donating money to help survivors of domestic violence and other women in need can donate online to the following national domestic violence organizations:

If someone is in an abusive relationship, where can they go to find help?

Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224 for safety planning, assistance and resources in your area.

What resources are available for those in an abusive relationship?

PurplePurse.com provides a multitude of resources including conversation starters, tips for how to spot signs of abuse, steps to gain financial independence and so much more.

 

 

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