*Disclosure:  I received compensation as part of this campaign.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.  Thank you to BSM Media and Allstate for this discussion.*

Domestic Violence.  Two words.  Two very powerful words.  Two words that can stop people in their tracks and end a conversation.  Two words that can cause people to be very uneasy and cause judgement.  Just two words.

Did you know though, that for every 4 women, 1 of them has been affected by domestic violence?  What comes to mind when you hear domestic violence?  For many people, the only thing they think of is physical abuse, but it is so much more than that.  In 98% of domestic abuse cases, financial abuse is also happening.  Financial abuse is a major reason why women stay in an abusive situation.  They feel the complete inability to leave and support themselves.

While domestic violence is happening to far too many women, there are still far too few people talking about it.  It really is a touchy subject, but the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse is making it fashionable to talk about domestic violence.  Not only does Allstate want you to be talking about domestic violence and be aware of it, but they want you to help.  That’s right.  You can join Allstate as they invest more than a half million dollars in the Purple Purse Challenge.  Go to PurplePurse.com between September 2nd and October 3rd to join the challenge and help a nonprofit near you.  

If you are wondering about the symbolism behind the name Purple Purse, it is to symbolize the center of a woman’s financial domain AND to inspire these women to reclaim their financial independence.  Since 2005, Allstate has donated over $40 million to help domestic violence victims break free of their abuser by reclaiming their financial independence.  If you haven’t already visited PurplePurse.com, do it.  With a 1 in 4 ratio for domestic violence, there is a good chance you could be helping somebody you know get out of that domestic violence situation.

If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence, PurplePurse.com has tips and tools to help you recognize domestic violence and financial abuse, talk about it, and most important – to end it!   If you or someone you know needs immediate help, PLEASE call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

You are all amazing readers, and I really hope you will join the Purple Purse challenge and do your part to help domestic violence victims regain their financial independence and get out of that relationship and onto something healthy and wonderful as they begin the next chapter in their life.

Have you or somebody you love ever been a victim of domestic violence?