• by Tanya Gazdik , September 29, 2015

Allstate Foundation is partnering with Kerry Washington to bring attention to domestic violence and financial abuse.

The Emmy-nominated actress is the foundation’s Purple Purse ambassador. Washington partnered with handbag designer Dee Ocleppo to create the 2015 Purple Purse. 

Allstate Foundation Purple Purse, a public awareness and fundraising campaign, is aimed at creating long-term safety and security for domestic violence survivors. The purse represents the center of a woman's financial domain and purple is the national color for domestic violence awareness.

The limited-edition clutch was created to encourage the public to talk about domestic violence and financial abuse. The purse, retailing at $350, is available for purchase at select Saks Fifth Avenue locations and on Saks.com with 25% of proceeds supporting more than 160 domestic violence programs around the country.

Allstate and Washington unveiled the purse Sept. 24 before an audience of community leaders, survivors and VIPs on Sept. 24 in New York City. In so doing, she also kicked off a month-long effort to raise funds for domestic violence programs nationwide. 

Washington filmed a 30-second campaign PSA with tips on how to start conversations about this sensitive topic. It is available at PurplePurse.com.

One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. In 98% of cases, victims also suffer from financial abuse, which means their abusers will deny them access to money and financial resources.

"Domestic violence and financial abuse can happen to the women in our lives, including our sisters, mothers, girlfriends and co-workers," said Vicky Dinges, senior vice president, corporate responsibility, Allstate Insurance Co., in a release. "Through Purple Purse, we are making the invisible weapon of financial abuse visible to the public, and we are working to ensure victims have access to services, such as legal counsel and financial assistance that can help them break free from abuse and recover."

Recognizing not everyone can purchase Washington's purse, Purple Purse charms are available for $10, with proceeds benefiting more than 160 Purple Purse nonprofits through PurplePurse.com.

From Oct. 1-27, more than 160 nonprofits will participate in the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge. Each participating organization will rally the public to raise funds. To encourage donations, the Allstate Foundation is investing $500,000 in Challenge sweepstakes and contests.

When the month-long fundraiser concludes on Oct. 27, the public can continue to donate to Purple Purse nonprofits through the end of the year at PurplePurse.com.  

Since 2005, The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program has helped nearly 600,000 domestic violence survivors access financial education, job training and readiness and small business programs.