“I tell people all the time, I’m a champion for Safe Horizon because I don’t know where I would be if Safe Horizon wasn’t there for not only me but for my children. And to have a place where my children can go and play and know that they’re safe – it’s priceless.” – Dr. Lisa Robinson
*Warning: This domestic violence story contains details of an incident that some readers may find disturbing.
Her Daughter’s Love Helped Dr. Lisa Robinson Make a Change
A few years ago, Lisa was living with her partner of 18 years and their three children. Her partner had a history of being verbally abusive, but Lisa had found ways to live with that reality. During the time Lisa was working towards obtaining her Doctorate in Theology, her partner’s verbal abuse escalated.
In October, 2010 Lisa finished writing her doctoral dissertation. “I was out with a friend celebrating the completion of my dissertation, but my partner thought I was having an affair. When I came home that night, she just began to beat me in front of my children, ” Lisa explained.
Her oldest daughter intervened by hitting the partner with a broom and telling her to “stop hitting Mommy.”
When the hitting stopped, Lisa immediately ran to her daughter to comfort her. While holding her daughter – who had witnessed the verbal abuse for years and now this beating – Lisa decided something needed to change in her life.
Finding Her Way to Safety
Lisa decided she needed to get out of the situation she was in. “Not knowing what to do or where to go or who to turn to I googled ‘domestic violence’ and Safe Horizon popped up.” She called our Domestic Violence Hotline and was connected to our Brooklyn Community Program. There, Lisa found guidance to help her find peace, healing and hope.
“Safe Horizon gave me a safe place to go where I explored and expressed my emotions to someone that was there to help.”
Safe Horizon provided supportive counseling to Lisa and her children who needed to heal from the trauma of seeing their mother abused. Safe Horizon was also able to give her children simple items to provide stability and comfort, like school supplies and holiday gifts.
Lisa has since found a new home for her children and now serves as a Designated Interim Minister at Ridgeview Congregational Church in White Plains, New York. She has become a Safe Horizon champion and shares her story with other victims. “In a time where I was broken to pieces, I found a family in Safe Horizon, ” Dr. Robinson says. “Whenever I have a public speaking event, I make sure to let people know that however you decide to identify, there are ‘safe horizons’ there to help you.”
Safe Horizon offers help for thousands of survivors just like Lisa. Our Community Programs serve all five boroughs of New York City and offer services to victims of domestic violence and other crimes including:
- Crisis Intervention and Ongoing Support
- Practical/Emergency Assistance
- Information, Referrals and Advocacy
- Individual Counseling and access to Support Groups
How You Can Help People like Dr. Robinson
You can help make a difference by participating in our #PutTheNailinIt campaign to end domestic violence. All it takes are three simple steps:
- Donate to help support Safe Horizon’s services for victims of domestic violence
- Paint your left ring fingernail purple, the color of the anti-domestic violence movement
- Share a photo of the purple nail on social media using hashtag #PutTheNailinIt
People from all over the world are participating in #PutTheNailinIt and donating to help us provide domestic violence victims with the support they need including: shelter, counseling, hotline services, free legal advice, representation and other critical services.