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Kerry Washington Addresses Financial Manipulation in Domestic Abuse

The actress designed a limited-edition purple purse to raise awareness.

The Ray Rice domestic abuse situation has led several celebrities to chime in with their thoughts on the issue. Kerry Washington is the latest with her PSA on the subject in collaboration with The Allstate Foundation. In her message, Washington addresses another factor in domestic abuse and one that leads many to stay in abusive relationships: financial abuse.

"Finances are almost always a weapon of choice," Washington says in the video. "Taking away access to cash, destroying credit, jeopardizing jobs -- financial abuse leaves invisible bruises that can take decades to heal."
The Scandal star explained to The Huffington Post that it's the tragic reason why so many victims stay in their abusive situation…because they don't think they can afford to break free. "That whole hashtag #WhyIStayed that happened last week, you saw how many of those responses were about feeling trapped financially," she said.
"I think people just aren't as aware of financial abuse," Washington continued. "If a woman isn't even aware of the dynamics of financial abuse -- what it looks like, what it is -- she may not even know that that's part of the tools being used to control her and manipulate her and keep her trapped. When there is more information around it, people can begin to identify it and then get the help they need."
Washington also designed a limited-edition purple purse to raise awareness on domestic abuse and emphasize the role that financial manipulation plays within it. Proceeds from the Purple Purse campaign will help support domestic violence organizations and help victims gain financial security.
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(Photo: Purple Purse via YouTube)

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