Kerry Washington campaigns to end domestic violence

Kerry Washington is campaigning to end domestic violence.

For the third year in a row the 39-year-old actress has partnered with the Allstate Foundation on its Purple Purse campaign, which is launching #FreetoWalk in order to draw "attention to the barriers that keep women trapped in abusive relationships".

Speaking to PEOPLE, she said: "For me, it’s just such an ideal partnership, because selfishly I just participate and work in areas that are very important to me, meaning both fashion and supporting women’s empowerment.

"To be an ambassador for the Allstate Foundation and for Purple Purse is an honor for me, because I love being able to be a part of real, long-term solutions for giving security, and wisdom, and knowledge and empowerment for domestic violence victims and survivors."

This year’s #FreetoWalk campaign aims to bring attention to forces aside from physical violence that keep women in abusive relationships.

‘Scandal’ star Kerry – who is expecting her second child with husband Nnamdi Asomugha – explained: "Financial abuse is such an invisible weapon, it’s not something we think of.

"We can see black eyes and we can see bruising and I think, we think a lot about the emotional abuse, and all of those things are valid, but to know that financial abuse is the number one reason why women stay and why they can’t walk away – it matters so much to be able to do something about that because it unlocks the solutions in the other areas as well."