Letter to the Editor: Financial Literacy Month

Dear Editor,

Each year, many women and their families make the difficult decision to leave abusive relationships in hopes for a life of security and safety. However, for millions of women the path out of these relationships can be difficult and unclear.

I often hear the words, “Why doesn’t she just leave, it doesn’t make sense?” The reasons why domestic violence victims stay in abusive relationships are not always simple; however, one answer always rises to the top-money. In fact, research shows a victim’s access to money and resources is the number one predictor of whether they will have to return to an abusive relationship.

To help provide women and their families with financial resources to move from safety to security, the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV) has partnered with The Allstate Foundation and National Network to End Domestic Violence. Through this partnership, we are providing financial education and resources to hundreds of domestic violence survivors in Kansas – with the hope that this knowledge will propel them out of abusive relationships and onto the path toward financial empowerment.

This April, as Financial Literacy Month comes to an end, it’s time to reflect on our personal finances and make plans for our futures. This April I’m hoping you’ll join me in making a promise to focus on ways that we can all become financially secure, but to also help those in our state and your community that need a helping hand to live free from violence.

Sincerely,

Joyce Grover
Executive Director
Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence