The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge

This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Allstate Foundation® and Latina Bloggers Connect. All opinions are my own. 

Domestic violence has become an extremely hot topic in the news lately. It seems like every time you turn the channel, another celebrity is being accused of or arrested on a domestic abuse charge. However, there is one celebrity that is taking a stance against domestic violence. Emmy-nominated actress and domestic violence activist, Kerry Washington, is serving as a Purple Purse ambassador to help raise awareness of financial abuse, a form of domestic abuse.

Domestic violence affects as many as one in four women in their lifetime. Although when most people think about domestic violence, they think only of physical abuse, however financial abuse happens in 98% of these cases, and is one of the most powerful ways that the abuser uses to keep the victim trapped.  Often times, the reason that domestic violence victims are forced to stay is because they don’t have the financial resources to free themselves. For example, if a victim's credit score is ruined by an abuser, she could have a hard time finding a place to live.

To help raise awareness of this serious issue, Kerry Washington designed a limited-edition purple purse (the color of domestic violence awareness). It’s Allstate’s Purple Purse Foundation’s goal to help make it fashionable to speak openly about and bring awareness to this topic.

This year, Allstate Foundation has issued the Purple Purse Challenge, in an effort to fund raise for 145 community partners across the country who provide financial empowerment services for domestic violence survivors. The Allstate Foundation is also distributing Purple Purse charms to Challenge participants, so that you can turn any purse into a Purple Purse. Along with each charm, comes a card with the inspiring story of a survivor.

You can go to PurplePurse.com between Sept. 2 and Oct. 3 to learn more about domestic violence and financial abuse, and to join the Challenge to help a nonprofit near you.

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.