Scandal actress Kerry Washington has spoken out about domestic violence and the financial abuse that often accompanies it.
In an interview with The Huffington Post, the star said financial abuse was one of the most obvious but overlooked reasons why women stayed in domestic violence situations.
“It’s the reason why so many people stay,” said Washington.
“That whole hashtag #WhyIStayed that happened last week, you saw how many of those responses were about feeling trapped financially.”
Recently the Emmy-nominated actress has joined forces with the Allstate Foundation, of which she is an ambassador, and created the Purple Purse Program.
Washington, 37, designed a limited-edition purple purse which will be sold to raise funds for domestic violence in particular victims of financial abuse.
Washington unveils her Purple Purse creation at an Allstate Foundation event in New York on Monday night.
In a new PSA to promote the campaign Washington said: “One in four women will be a victim of domestic violence. Finances are almost always a weapon of choice.
“For many, many of those cases — 98 per cent of those cases — the financial abuse is what keeps a woman trapped.”
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Personal Safety Survey more than a million Australian women had experienced physical or sexual assault by their male current or ex-partner since the age of 15.
The NSW Family and Community Services affirms that financial sabotage, which can include limiting funds, piling up debt and restricting employment, is a common way that perpetrators of domestic abuse control their victims.
If you are of know someone who is at risk of domestic violence contact the Domestic Violence Crisis Service or call the police on 000.
