Across the U.S., an estimated 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime — and nearly all of them will also endure financial abuse. Sharisse Kimbro, relationship abuse program officer at The Allstate Foundation, says it’s one of the most common but least recognized forms of abuse.
Financial abuse “can look like a variety of things, including job interference, excessively monitoring spending, imposing an allowance without consent, hiding assets, financial documentation or other identifying information — and could also include coerced debt,” she explains.
Speaking at the 13th annual Forbes Power Women’s Summit, Kimbro discussed the important role employers can play in disrupting the cycle of abuse through policies, resources and programs that empower survivors. Over the past two decades, The Allstate Foundation has invested more than $100 million in reducing the prevalence of domestic violence, partnering with national domestic violence organizations to address this critical issue.
Now, Kimbro is calling on other enterprises to join the movement. The Allstate Foundation is inviting employers to join the Survivor Empowerment Network, a community of organizations committed to building survivor-supportive workplaces.
Below, explore four of Kimbro’s insights on how to build an economy and workplace where survivors can thrive.