| For victims of domestic abuse, financial concerns can | | | | 1. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) |
| be a matter of life or death. Learning to manage | | | | 799-SAFE to find a domestic violence program where |
| personal finances can empower victims to gain their | | | | you can learn about resources, such as emergency |
| freedom. | | | | assistance funds, shelter, public benefits and |
| According to the National Network to End Domestic | | | | affordable housing. |
| Violence (NNEDV) Fund, domestic abusers commonly | | | | 2. Get a copy of your credit report and monitor your |
| use financial control-blocking access to money and/or | | | | credit often. You can request a free copy at or |
| other financial resources-to prevent victims from | | | | (877) 322-8228. Most financial institutions also provide |
| leaving an abusive situation. | | | | low-cost credit-monitoring services. |
| The uncertainty that comes with leaving a home and | | | | 3. Open a post office box-and change your mailing |
| financial security is difficult for domestic abuse victims | | | | address-for any financial information you may receive |
| to overcome. When a survivor does escape, she is | | | | before or after you leave an abusive situation. You |
| often left with few financial resources or skills to | | | | can get one from the U.S. Postal Service or vendors |
| make ends meet. | | | | including Parcel Plus or the UPS Store. |
| The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program, | | | | 4. Contact financial institutions and utility companies, |
| in partnership with NNEDV Fund, has developed a | | | | including your cell-phone service, to secure your |
| program to give domestic abuse survivors the | | | | private information with new PIN codes and |
| knowledge and skills needed for economic | | | | passwords. Change ATM and debit-card PIN codes |
| empowerment. | | | | and the passwords for e-mail and online banking |
| "Financial knowledge allows you to make | | | | accounts. |
| choices-choices to secure a better future for | | | | 5. Make necessary changes to your insurance plans, |
| yourself and your family," says Barbara Stanny, an | | | | will or trust beneficiaries, appointing a new person if |
| expert on women's financial issues and a | | | | your abuser used to be your designee. |
| spokesperson for The Allstate Foundation Domestic | | | | From her own experience, Stanny cautions, "If you |
| Violence Program. She recommends these strategies | | | | don't deal with your money, your money will deal |
| for victims planning to leave abusive situations: | | | | with you. |