handbags for hope

Handbags for Hope through the Texas Advocacy Project in Austin, TX aims to help victims of domestic violence. The Texas Advocacy Project has the assistance of The Allstate Foundation and the Travis County Sheriff's Office in the collection of new and gently used handbags with the goal of "putting life-saving information in the hands of the victims" by having tags with the number for the Texas Advocacy Project's toll-free domestic violence hotline (1-800-374-hope) and pamphlets detailing ways to get and stay safe inside the bags. According to a member of the board of directors, "we know that a woman in a violent situation is more likely to get out of an abusive relationship and stay out if she has access to legal services".