This post is part of a sponsored campaign with The Allstate Foundation and MomSelect. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As a teenager I loved hanging out with friends. There were three of us and we spent every possible moment with each other, chatting about which guys we would date if we had a chance, discussing our future dreams and our deepest secrets. Except one of my friends had a deeper, darker secret; one that we avoiding talking about whenever possible—an abusive, alcoholic father. Her mother took a lot of abuse and tried to shield the kids whenever possible. Many nights I would get a furtive phone call from my friend, “My dad just came home drunk again and is hitting everyone. Can you come get me?” I would drive over to her house and she would sneak out the window and stay with me until he had finished his rampage. I didn’t know what to say to her so we avoided the subject. I’m not alone. A majority of Americans agree that domestic violence is tough to talk about. What I didn’t know then was domestic violence affects one in four women in their lifetime – that’s more women than breast cancer, ovarian cancer and lung cancer combined. An average of three women die every day from domestic violence.
I wish I could say my friends’ story had a happy ending, but the cycle of abuse continued. My friend met a guy who was a lot like her father. He tracked her every move, even following us onto our college campus to make sure she didn’t talk to other guys. One dark and stormy night I once again drove out to rescue her again. She’s never overcame these obstacles though, when I became an adult, I found her find resources and support. That’s why I am supporting the All State Purple Purse campaign to donate up to $350,000 to the YWCA for programs designed for assisting survivors of domestic violence and other women in need.
Let’s begin taking action against domestic violence and help break the cycle of abuse. Grab a Purple Purse and Pass It On.
This is an important issue that needs major attention .Women and men need to know what to look for so that they can rescue someone dealing with this tragedy.
Great Campaign! I like how it’s being shared more and more. I see it a lot these days and people are more well informed
oh this is so cool! my mom was a victim of domestic violence. 🙁 this is a really great cause and i am totally sharing the crap out of it 😀 thanks for letting us know about it.
good campaign and even more important that more people are becoming aware. But still, even one person in this situation is too much.
I like that there is a campaign like Purple Purse to stop Domestic Violence and support women. No one has to experience domestic violence.
This is a great campaign. It’s great that they are spreading awareness.
I hate thinking about all of the abuse that happens – I wish there was some way to stop it all but it seems like the only thing we can do is continue raising awareness about it. I’m happy to hear about this campaign.
This is such a fantastic cause. Thank you so much for getting the word out there!!
It is so sad to hear women facing these problems ,but at the same time I am happy All State is trying to help those women,It is an amazing cause!
This is such an important cause about a subject that is often not talked about. I will definitely pass on the purple purse to raise awareness and help get the conversation started.
This is a great campaign and really a good cause. I will do my part to spread the word.
I just love this campaign, I am so glad they are doing something to help raise awareness. The statistics are alarming!
I want to join in. What a great campaign.
It is so wonderful to see the issue of domestic violence being talked about front and center so that people do not have to hide and be ashamed. Instead they can stand up ask for help and get it.
I am so sorry for your friend. I know she is grown now, but this kind of thing sticks with a person. I am always glad to see when a large company stands behind an important issue like this.
this truly needs more addressing. What a geat thing to pass along!
Do you know if this is also happening in Canada? I think its a great cause. Both my oldest daughter and my aunt had abusive partners. What is sad is how long they stay with their partners because they think they are to blame and not the abusive partner.
I’ve never heard of this, what a great cause. Thanks for sharing!
I love seeing this kind of awareness. This problem is so much bigger than anyone could imagine. For every person I know experiencing domestic violence, and there are many, I bet there are so many more who keep it hidden well. This is a step in the right direction!
What a fantastic campaign. It is truly a problem in this country
This is such an important cause that needs a ton more visbility. Glad to see a company like All State is getting involved.
i think this is a great campaign allstate is running. the cycle of abuse is so strong, i hope your friend is able to break it sooner than later.
You know what, I’m pretty impressed with a lot of things I’ve been hearing about with All-State, including this!!! Thank you for the share.
We just received our Purple Purse in! Time to pass it on and raise awareness!
This is a great cause… I hate people that has to express themselves with their violence
I have volunteered at shelters in Phoenix and it is always heartbreaking to see the results of violence and abuse. It can take years for a lady to recover, not only physically but mentally as well. If I could figure out how to pass the purse, I would be happy to do so.
My first boyfriend was abusive. And I still stayed for 3 years because I didn’t think I would find anyone else.
My sister was in an abusive relationship years ago. It was before there were resources available to help those in domestic violence find safety. This is such an important campaign for me.
This is a great campaign! I do know women who have been affected by domestic violence, so I would love to help out any way I can.
I’m so glad so many people are sharing this. I hope it is reaching out to the people that need it most.. Thanks you for sharing!
I love this campaign, but wish they were doing more to bring awareness to domestic violence against men. I have known several men that were in abusive relationships – and they were the victims – and there is very little support for them. Domestic violence goes both ways.
As a child who had to endure watching my mother suffer through domestic violence, I thank you for helping to raise awareness! I will definitely be sharing a virtual purple purse!
Thank you sooo much for spreading the word; what an amazing campaign… Speak for myself it took me 10 years… yes 10 years to leave an abusive (verbally and physically) marriage.. I made it and I’m proud of it, took a long time and wasn’t easy I still have the scars (emotionally and physically) and will be forever… I now have an amazing, wonderful husband that carries me on hands and I know from first hand that THESE guys do exist.. Don’t stay with an abusive husband of Boyfriend.. GET out!!!!!!!!!!! Also, don’t stay for the kids… they will see it and know about it even if you think they don’t.. my boys are now Teenagers and where 4 & 1 back then and they to this day remember what went on the last few years before we got out and up till about maybe a year or two ago I had NO idea that the kids knew any of it, I always thought they were asleep or outside or too young… they too remember!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a great cause. I just received a purple purse the other day.
This is such a worthy and much needed cause. Domestic violence has been swept under the rug for toooo many years. Yes I have passed the virtual Purple Purse.
This is a great way to raise awareness! Instead of scaring people, this actually might catch their attention. Domestic violence is everywhere so we need to open our eyes more!
Thanks for bringing awareness to the Purple Purse campaign. I hadn’t heard of this one but kudos to Allstate for taking a stand against domestic violence.
This is such a great campaign. I’m glad that I’m able to help.
I love the idea of this – having been through domestic violence I know how hard it can be to get up and walk out, and then how easy it can be to walk back through the door even when you know you shouldn’t. It’s so great there are more and more places out there t help people.
This is amazing this gives women knowlege and empowerment. Would love to participate in this and help anyone that is in need
What a great way to spread information about a subject many people shy away from. I really respect Allstate for doing this.
I love that Allstate is taking a stand against domestic abuse!
This is really something that needs addressed and I’m happy AllState has decided to back this. It really doesn’t matter the life situation all walks of life are affected by this.
This is just another thing the YWCA does for women. I don’t have a YWCA right in my town, but when I go to my Daughters, there is a GREAT YWCA there. I will be stopping off there . This is very important for those women who have no way, nor do they know how to stand up for themselves.
This is such a lovely and important initiative. I hope we all pass the purse and help put an end to domestic violence!
This is a really important cause, and a great way to raise awareness and offer help. I’ll definitely be passing on a purple purse.
It’s really scary to think about all the abuse that goes on that never gets reported. I am definitely going to re-share a purple purse. It’s a GREAT cause.