NORTHBROOK, Ill., June 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today,
Allstate Foundation Purple Purse launched #FreetoWalk, an awareness
and fundraising campaign to call attention to the barriers that
keep women trapped in abusive relationships. The campaign kicks off
with the release of the online film "America's Largest Prison
Break," the true story of a financial abuse survivor's 700-day
journey to freedom.
"America's Largest Prison Break" brings to life the true story
of how Lori, a mother from Michigan, broke free from her abusive
relationship. For two years, Lori secretly saved money to fund her
escape from her abusive husband. With every visit to the grocery
store, she would add small â€" $5 or $10 â€" amounts of cash to the checks she wrote
to the clerk. Once home, when no one was watching, she would roll
the single bills inside tampon applicators and hide them in a box
in her bathroom until she had collected enough money to leave
safely with her children and file for divorce.
"I'm honored Allstate Foundation Purple Purse is using my story
to help others understand the impact of financial abuse," said
Lori, domestic violence survivor and activist. "Making financial
abuse part of the national domestic violence conversation and
educating people on the power of financial empowerment will help
break the cycle of domestic violence."
One in four1 American women will experience domestic
violence in her lifetime. And in 99 percent2 of domestic
violence cases, victims will also experience financial abuse, which
means their abusers deny them access to money, ruin their credit by
stealing their identity or harass them at work so they lose their
jobs. Financial abuse is the No. 1 reason victims stay in or return
to abusive relationships. Allstate Foundation Purple Purse aims to
create long-term safety and security for domestic violence
survivors through financial empowerment.
Continuing to serve as a voice for victims and to advance
Allstate Foundation Purple Purse's efforts, Emmy-nominated actress
and activist Kerry Washington
returns for her third year as Allstate Foundation Purple Purse
ambassador.
"I am proud to serve as ambassador once again for the Purple
Purse program," Washington said. "Through this year's #FreeToWalk
campaign, we are putting the spotlight on financial abuse and
engaging the public to lend their support. I hope others will join
me in championing this cause so Purple Purse can continue to help
more women gain financial independence and find safety."
"Financial abuse is an invisible weapon that's just as effective
as a lock and key in controlling victims," said Vicky Dinges, senior vice president, Corporate
Responsibility, Allstate Insurance Company. "Without financial
resources, victims remain trapped in homes that feel more like
prisons. Our #FreeToWalk campaign brings financial abuse out of the
shadows and helps victims gain access to resources they need to
break free and to rebuild their lives."
On an average day in 2015, more than 12,000 requests for
services such as emergency shelter and financial assistance for
victims went unanswered due to a lack of funding at domestic
violence programs. Visit PurplePurse.com today to help more women
become #FreeToWalk.
In addition to the film, the Allstate Foundation's 2016 Purple
Purse campaign will include various #FreeToWalk activities that
will provide opportunities for the public to help women break free
from domestic violence. Money raised ensures that domestic violence
organizations across the country are able to provide
services.
Now in its 12th year of supporting this issue, Allstate
Foundation Purple Purse has propelled more than 800,000 domestic
violence survivors on the road to safety through its tools,
including the Moving Ahead Through Financial Management
curriculum that equips women with resources to regain their
financial independence. To date, the Allstate Foundation has
invested more than $50 million in
life-changing financial education, asset-building, job training and
readiness programs for survivors.
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.
About The Allstate Foundation
Established in 1952, The
Allstate Foundation is an independent charitable organization made
possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL).
Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the
country, The Allstate Foundation brings the relationships,
reputation and resources of Allstate to support innovative and
lasting solutions that enhance people's well-being and prosperity.
With a focus on building financial independence for domestic
violence survivors, empowering youth and celebrating the charitable
community involvement of Allstate agency owners and employees, The
Allstate Foundation works to bring out the good in people's lives.
For more information, visit www.AllstateFoundation.org.
1 Center for Disease Control; National Intimate
Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 Report; p.2;
http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs_report2010-a.pdf
2 Center for Financial Security; Measuring the
Effects of Domestic Violence on Women's Financial Well Being;
p.1;
https://centerforfinancialsecurity.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/adams2011.pdf
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SOURCE The Allstate Foundation