The seven part series is designed to raise awareness of the signs of financial abuse for both victims, as well as friends and family members of victims, and provide tips to overcome it.  Financial abuse can have the most devastating and long-lasting impact on the lives of survivors and their families. Financial abuse keeps victims tied to their abusers even when there is nothing physically preventing them from leaving, and can take many different forms. Stories include partners who control their partner’s spending habits, preventing a partner from accessing bank accounts and keeping a partner from having a credit card. TheHotline.org lists ways a partner extends power and control into the area of finances here.

The videos are hosted by Suze Orman, two-time Emmy Award-winning television host, author and motivational speaker.  The women, who come from all walks of life, courageously share intimate details of abuse they endured by husbands or boyfriends. Orman provides expert advice and insights that will help all women become strong, smart and secure.

Women featured in special video series titled, “Women Breaking Free: Stories of Strength from Survivors of Domestic Violence.” Left to right: Ayanna, Leslie, Tiffany, Suze Orman, Shaundre, Vikki Mae, Lisselot. Front: Rhonda

Orman said, “When Avon joined forces with The Hotline and they asked me to interview women who have survived abusive relationships, I said, ‘Count me in!’ NOW is the time for women to stand up for themselves, know who they are, and never, ever, ever be at the hands of an abuser.”

“As the company for women, Avon is committed to inspiring the financial independence, health and wellbeing of women and their families.  With one in four women shown to be a victim of domestic violence sometime in her life, that means we all know a mother, a sister, a friend, a daughter who has experienced abuse,” shared Debbie Coffey, Vice President, Corporate Communications, New Avon LLC. “Without adequate economic resources, women are often incapable of breaking free of abusive relationships.   Given Avon’s focus on providing economic opportunities, it is only natural that the company is passionate about ending violence against women.  We are so proud to partner with The Hotline and Avon Foundation on this project which will inspire women who have been abused to take positive steps forward in financial and physical security.”

The Hotline receives between 1,600 and 2,000 contacts a day from people across the United States seeking support or resources relating to domestic violence. Financial abuse is playing an ever-increasing role in a woman’s inability to leave a relationship.  Katie Ray-Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the National Domestic Violence Hotline said, “We wanted to share how pervasive financial abuse is in domestic violence relationships and we felt Suze Orman was the perfect partner to examine this, offer solutions, and show that anything is possible if you believe in yourself.  In this video series, we see incredibly brave women come forward and tell their stories of abuse with the hope that by sharing their experience they will help change someone else’s life.”

The series produced by Ten22 Films and Postmodern will post on TheHotline.org. Viewers are encouraged to watch and share the videos via their social media channels using the hashtag #WomenBreakingFree.

For more information on the National Domestic Violence Hotline, please visit www.thehotline.org.
Facebook: NationalDomesticViolenceHotline Twitter: @NDVH Instagram: National Domestic Violence Hotline.