‘The Kara Robinson Story’ a tale of trial & triumph
This Saturday in Lifetime’s Ripped from the Headlines series is “The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story,” a true story of female assault, recovery and triumph.
Robinson was 15 when she was abducted by a stranger later identified as serial killer Richard Evonitz. Tracked to Sarasota, Florida,
Evonitz, who had murdered three young girls, killed himself as police closed in.
In 2019 Robinson met kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart as part of a Lifetime panel with five other survivors. The two held a virtual press conference last week.
“What’s always important to me for any project I take on,” said Smart, 35, a child safety activist who was abducted at 14, “is that the survivor has their voice and it’s respected and they’re able to tell their story the way they want.”
Added Robinson, also 35, “As a survivor, I did not see anything in the media experiencing a traumatic event the way we experienced it. I wanted to tell it differently than what you see on TV.
“I’m not alone in how I experienced my trauma. It was 20 years ago. I usually see this extremely traumatized reaction of PTSD — nightmares or anxiety attacks. I didn’t experience that. I felt like I was fine after my kidnapping. It was a story I perpetuated for 15 years.”
“Sharing stories is such a powerful tool,” Smart noted. “I meet with survivors and so many have been influenced by stories they’ve seen on the media. A good friend broke his leg and was watching ‘Law & Order: SVU.’ A story came up — and it struck him that what happened to him was sexual abuse. These stories are so powerful to let other survivors know they aren’t alone. Because crimes of sexual violence are so isolating.
It’s important for them to know they don’t have to be ashamed or keep it secret and to know you can move on. Kara’s story illustrates that beautifully.”
Robinson was asked how she found the strength and peace of mind to figure out how to escape.
“It comes from two places,” she said. “First, I’m a very strong-willed, stubborn person who decided pretty quickly I didn’t want this person who took me captive to have any more control over me than he possibly could. That meant I wanted to go forward, not be a victim. Second, my trauma response kicked in. You often hear ‘Fight or flight.’
“But that’s been expanded. Now we say, ‘Fight. Flight. Freeze. And Appease.’ That’s something that’s in all of us whenever we face a traumatic situation. I share that with people as a way to empower them.”
“The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story” airs on Lifetime Saturday.