If you're in danger and need to quickly close this page, use the safety exit.

Learn about domestic violence and financial abuse.

Domestic violence is defined as any pattern of coercive, controlling behavior of one partner over another. One of the most harmful forms of domestic violence is called financial abuse, where abusers limit or prevent access to financial resources, like bank accounts and job opportunities. This is one of the main reasons victims stay in or return to an abusive relationship.

See the overwhelming impact of domestic violence.

Each year, more women are touched by domestic violence than breast cancer, ovarian cancer and lung cancer combined.

1 in 4

women

will experience domestic violence in her lifetime

12K

victims'

requests for help went unanswered per day in 2017

3 in 4

Americans

know someone who's experienced domestic violence

3M+

children

witness domestic violence in their families

Learn about the warning signs of abuse.

A person experiencing domestic violence will often be afraid to openly share their circumstances for fear of retaliation from their abuser. If you suspect someone you know may be experiencing domestic violence, start by watching out for these key indicators, then see how to start a conversation.

Signs of domestic violence
Signs of financial abuse
Signs of physical abuse
Signs of isolation

This person may:

Seem scared or anxious to please their partner
Be overly agreeable to everything their partner says and does
Check in often with their partner to report on their activities
Frequently receive harassing phone calls from their partner
Talk about their partner's temper, jealousy or possessiveness

This person may:

Have limited access to money or credit cards
Have their spending tightly monitored
Worry excessively how their partner will respond to what are typically considered simple, everyday purchases

This person may:

Frequently miss work, school and social obligations without notice or explanation
Make seemingly odd clothing choices in an effort to conceal bruises or scars, for example: wearing long sleeves or turtlenecks in the summer and sunglasses indoors

This person may:

Have low self-esteem, even if they were once very confident
Show significant changes in personality, such as an extroverted person becoming withdrawn
Show signs of depression, anxiety or being suicidal

More ways to educate yourself

The more you understand the abuse many men and women face each day, the better equipped you can be to join us in breaking the cycle for good.

Download the Purple Purse Brochure (PDF).

Allstate Foundation Purple Purse is committed to bringing domestic violence and financial abuse out of the shadows by educating family, friends and colleagues of victims. The following downloadable PDF brochure outlines key statistics, signs of abuse and how to start the conversation with someone in need.

Download now

Get the facts from the experts.

From defining common domestic violence buzzwords to offering key insights revealed in the Domestic Violence Counts annual census report, the National Network to End Domestic Violence can help you better understand the issue.

See buzzwords See census report

Your donation could help a survivor in need.

Get involved