Baton Rouge, LA — The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV) announced today its receipt of a competitive grant from The Allstate Foundation for financial empowerment programs benefiting survivors of domestic violence. The funding is a continuation and broad expansion of the Coalition’s existing financial empowerment work. The grant expands LCADV’s Financial Empowerment Program to six regions of Louisiana, representing statewide impact on an issue all too common in domestic violence: financial abuse.

According to a 2018 Allstate Foundation Purple Purse national survey, nearly half of Americans aren’t familiar with financial abuse as a form of domestic violence, even though it occurs in 99 percent of abusive relationships and it’s one of the top reasons why victims can’t “just leave.” Financial abuse tactics include preventing victims from working or keeping them from accessing bank accounts, credit cards or cash. In addition to a lack of public awareness of financial abuse, only 34 percent of Americans would know how to help if they suspected a family member or friend were a victim of financial abuse as part of a domestic violence situation. LCADV notes that financial abuse frequently prevents domestic violence victims from acquiring, using or maintaining financial resources. One way to address it is to provide survivors with tools and strategies to address financial independence and plan for safe, secure futures.

The Allstate Foundation’s funding will support Financial Empowerment Programs at six domestic violence organizations across Louisiana: Faith House, Project Celebration, Southeast Advocates for Family Empowerment, The Haven, Domestic Abuse Resistance Team, and the New Orleans Family Justice Center. With the support of LCADV, these programs will implement financial education, credit repair, and matched savings programs for survivors of domestic violence.

“This marks an important and historic expansion of our state’s economic justice work for survivors of domestic violence,” said Mariah Wineski, Executive Director of LCADV. “These programs are unique because they provide the tangible assistance that survivors need to recover from financial abuse. We look forward to seeing the impact of this innovative programming across Louisiana.”

The credit repair, financial education, and matched savings programs are part of a larger effort by LCADV and its member programs to address financial abuse and economic empowerment for survivors of domestic violence in Louisiana. “Financial abuse is a very real barrier to long term safety and stability,” Wineski said. “For survivors of domestic violence, safety and economic security are closely linked.”

About The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence:

The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV) is a statewide network of programs, organizations, and individuals who share the goal of ending domestic violence in Louisiana. LCADV empowers its members and communities through advocacy, education, resource development, and technical assistance. LCADV is dedicated to bringing about change in our institutions, laws, politics, attitudes, and beliefs which will allow individuals to live free of violence. For more information, visit www.lcadv.org.

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.