Allstate Foundation's Purple Purse Challenge

Domestic violence is a serious problem, however most of us don't talk about it. If you are reading this, whether you know it or not, you know someone who is or was a victim of domestic violence. It effects 1 in 4 women in her lifetime, this number is more than breast, ovarian and lung cancers combined.

Most of us think of physical violence when we think of only domestic violence, but in reality 98% of all domestic violence cases include financial abuse. Financial abuse is one of the most powerful ways keeps the victim trapped.

 You often hear I wouldn't stay, or I would not put up with that, but it isn't always feasible to just walk away, because of the fact that lots of women financially rely on their abuser.

 By joining the #purplepurse challenge you can help ensure that survivors are not financially trapped in a domestic situation.

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.

Kerry Washington is the 2014 Purple Purse ambassador. She is working to help raise awareness for the cause and has designed a limited-edition purple purse. The purse was created to represent the center of a woman’s financial domain and to inspire women to reclaim their financial independence.

Since 2005 the Allstate foundation has invested more than 40 million across the country to help survivors regain financial independence and to break free from their abuser.

Now you can help too.

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.

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