*This sponsored post was written by me in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and The Allstate Foundation®. All opinions are 100% mine.
Many years ago, when I was in high school, I had a friend who was being abused by her boyfriend. It was a very scary time for me because it was the first time that one of my friends approached me about domestic violence. She would often have bruises and marks on her skin and I can remember sitting with her in the bathroom at school holding her while she cried and wondered what she should do.
I tried everything to get her to leave this guy but it became a vicious cycle where he would apologize and be loving for some time which would convince her that he was really going to change. Eventually, she became strong enough to break away from him and she used her newfound independence to help her heal from the years of abuse that were inflicted upon her.
An unfortunate reality is that domestic violence affects one in four women in her lifetime. That’s more women than breast cancer, ovarian cancer and lung cancer combined. There are also many facets to domestic violence besides the physical abuse that is endured. Financial abuse is also a form of domestic violence because victims are trapped in an abusive situation due to not having the financial means to break free from their abusers. It is present in nearly 98% of all domestic abuse cases.
The Allstate Foundation® Purple Purse is helping to eradicate the taboos around domestic violence in order to ignite important conversations around it. The program kicks off fundraising efforts for more than 140 national, state and local domestic violence organizations. Monies raised support life-altering financial empowerment services to help survivors rebuild their lives for themselves and for their families.
Go to PurplePurse.com between 9/2 and 10/3 to join the Purple Purse Challenge and help a nonprofit near you compete for Allstate Foundation® funding. Also, show your support year round by attaching a Purple Purse charm to your favorite purse. They are being distributed at participating Allstate Agencies.
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.
Let’s Discuss: What are some of the other ways that you think we can support victims of domestic violence?
Disclosure: This is part of a compensated campaign with Latina Bloggers Connect and The Allstate Foundation®. However, all opinions expressed are my own. I only recommend products or services I use personally and I believe will be “family friendly.” I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
© 2014, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
This is such a great program and one that affects more people than just the victim and the abuser.
I remember this from last year. I had no idea that this was a yearly thing at the time. Domestic Violence, truly any violence is truly horrific and I’m amazed at the reasons some people stay in it. Hopefully with education we can see a decrease in violence against women.
This is a cause that I personally care a lot about. I’m so happy to see this program to support victims of domestic violence.
Great way to raise awareness! I think another way we can support victims of domestic violence is by looking for signs of abuse, bruises, black eyes, being sore to the touch, depression, etc. I know you can see the look of life draining out of most people who are suffering from domestic abuse, it’s just training yourself to be sensitive to the signs.
I was part of the Purple Purse program last year. I think it is a great initiative.
I love this campaign. What Allstate is doing for women is something that is so necessary and not something many people even know or understand.
This is a great cause! I am a former victim of DV so this is close to my heart 🙂
I feel very strongly about this cause. No one should have to be subject to violence.
It’s hard to imagine that if you stand on your street and look at the houses, somebody in your line of vision is a victim of DM. We all should find a way to break the silence and help. Thanks for sharing!
It’s wonderful of Allstate to be part of this campaign to end domestic violence. It breaks my heart to learn that so many women out there are going through domestic violence. The worst is the one that can’t break free from it all and have children that are witnessing it all everyday! I wish I knew of ways to help them…
I was very excited to see this campaign for the first time on Kerry Washington’s Instagram page. Some people are clueless to the amount of men and women that have been victims or is s victim of DV. I’m all for getting the word out!
I saw this campaign for the first time a few days ago. People should be aware that DV isn’t just physical abuse but mental and verbal as well.
I didn’t know about this campaign but I have been brutally abused and know the awareness is needed and does help!
I think this is a great way to bring awareness to a cause! Thanks for sharing this one.
I have known people in abusive situations-it is horrible. I was in one myself for a short time-luckily I was able to escape quickly!! Much more needs to be done about this and it should be talked about much more so people do not feel so all alone. This is one good way of accomplishing this.