Serena Williams: There’s More to Domestic Violence Than Physical Abuse
How can society prevent and fight domestic or intimate partner abuse? Traditionally, solutions tend to center on helping communities promote healthy communication and relationships. But far less discussed is the topic of money — and how finances can complicate abusive relationships and make it harder for victims to leave. How pervasive is this problem?
Roughly one in four women in the United States experiences physical violence by an intimate partner at some point in her life, according to the Centers for Disease Control; meanwhile, a Michigan State University study of about 100 domestic violence survivors found that all but one of those victims — aka 99% of them — also experienced economic or financial abuse. That is when abusers restrict, monitor or limit their partner’s access to money, jobs or transportation.
To help bring attention to this underreported issue, tennis champion Serena Williams announced on Thursday that she is joining as the newest ambassador for Allstate Foundation Purple Purse, a decade-old initiative by the insurance company to provide financial empowerment to domestic abuse victims.
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