One in four1 American women experiences domestic violence in her lifetime. While most people think only of cuts and bruises when they think of domestic violence, 99 percent2 of all domestic violence cases involve financial abuse. Financial abuse can include abusers preventing victims from accessing money, ruining their credit, harassing them at work so they lose their jobs and more.
That’s why The Allstate Foundation has invested more than $55 million through their Purple Purse campaign, helping women obtain their financial independence and break free from abuse. In June, Serena Williams, tennis champion, entrepreneur and philanthropist, joined Allstate Foundation Purple Purse as the program’s new ambassador. Williams will raise awareness of the often invisible role financial abuse plays in keeping women trapped in abusive relationships and urge the public to help break the cycle of domestic violence.
“Standing up for women’s rights has long been a passion of mine,” said Serena Williams. “I am honored to join Allstate Foundation Purple Purse to bring financial abuse and domestic violence out of the shadows and into the public conversation. I hope people will join the Purple Purse movement and work with us to end abuse against women.”
Each year, The Allstate Foundation hosts the Purple Purse Challenge to support hundreds of organizations that help victims of domestic violence. This year, up to 250 national, state, and local nonprofit organizations will compete for a total of $700,000 in grants and get access to fundraising resources, including an exclusive purple purse. The friendly fundraising competition begins October 2nd, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Join tennis champion and Purple Purse program ambassador, Serena Williams, to help nonprofits serving domestic violence survivors.
Learn more about The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse® Challenge here.
Find a domestic violence shelter in your area at www.domesticshelters.org.
If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence situation, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.