End Domestic Violence & Pass On The Purple Purse!

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

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Before we got married, my husband and I had a talk about our decision to grow old together.

We knew marriage isn’t something you enter into without much thought. I know. We know. Because we’ve seen so many failed marriages (that of our own parents, some of our relatives, and some friends), we didn’t want ours to suffer the same fate as those who decided to end it. We agreed that for whatever problem we may encounter in the future, we will decide to overcome it and seek for solutions so that we can remain strong and stay together.

But I told him the 2 things that will make me leave him: infidelity and domestic violence.

I have seen far too many men become abusive in their marriages, but of course that’s not to say that only men become abusive. I do know of some circumstances when it’s the woman that has become abusive. The problem is that a lot of people in such relationships do not have the courage to get out or just don’t know what to do. And since people probably won’t share their situation with everyone on Facebook, the key is to educate people before domestic violence even starts so that people can be prepared.

Purple Purse

As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, Purple Purse, the Allstate Foundation’s symbol for domestic violence, represents a woman’s way to escape the cycle of abuse by gaining financial independence.

Now in its 3rd 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.

Since domestic violence is an issue that affects 1 in 4 women in their lifetime and impacts millions (though 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.

While physical abuse is the type of domestic violence most commonly discussed, 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. You see, lacking financial knowledge and resources is the #1 indicator of whether a domestic violence victim will stay, leave or return to an abusive relationship.

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But for every purple purse filled with domestic violence information passed through the end of October, The Allstate Foundation will donate $5 to YWCA.

And even 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 passing on a virtual purple purse. Just go to PurplePurse.com or click the image below to start passing on a virtual purse! Up to $350,000 will be given for programs aimed to help domestic violence survivors and stop the cycle of abuse.

If someone is in an abusive relationship, you can find help by calling 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. PurplePurse.com also 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. 

Be sure to visit Facebook.com/PurplePurse or PurplePurse.com!  You can 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.

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

BSM Virtual Purse Pass Card (1)

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

Comments

End Domestic Violence & Pass On The Purple Purse! — 2 Comments

  1. I was once a victim of domestic violence and this post and program is very important to me. Thank you

  2. This is such a great thing. I lived in an abusive marriage for twenty five years and it is so hard to get out of. When I left the abuse just got worse and thank God I had great friends and wonderful children. Thank you so much for sharing this