156: Kidnapped by a Serial Killer at 15, She Escaped and Became an Advocate for Others

Kara Robinson Chamberlain was kidnapped by a serial killer at the age of 15, while standing in her friend’s front yard. She was held captive and assaulted for 18 hours, but then Kara made a courageous escape while her captor was asleep. Kara had memorized numerous things about her captor and the apartment that she was held captive in and was able to lead law enforcement straight to her captor. He committed suicide when police caught up to him, but the information that Kara provided - led police to solve at least three other unsolved homicides and identify him as the man responsible for the murders. Following the identification and death of her captor, Kara went on to form relationships with law enforcement and she went on to work with the agency that investigated her case as a school resource officer, a sex crime and child abuse investigator and a victim's advocate until she got married and started having children.  Kara now uses her own story and experiences, as well as her years of work in law enforcement to advocate for and empower others. Through the years, Kara realized that she survived what she went through for a very specific purpose: to spread hope and to help other survivors know that they can find healing, hope, and purpose. Kara reminds all survivors that “we are who we are because of what happened but we are not defined by it.” Kara is involved in several organizations, initiatives, and advocacy groups. She speaks regularly across the country and is active on social media - as a way to share her story, answer questions, advocate for other survivors and educate the public. Kara’s story was recently featured on Oxygen (“Escaping Captivity: The Kara Robinson Story”) and in People magazine. Kara is working on a book and has so much more to come! Kara joins The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast to share her inspiring story. Listen to this incredible episode of The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast! In this episode, you’ll hear: Kara’s life story; The story of how Kara was kidnapped, held captive and assaulted for 18 hours, and how she bravely escaped; What Kara did to remember information about her captor that led law enforcement to track him down and led them to solve at least three other homicides; How Kara found healing and purpose - and how she’s using her story to advocate and empower other survivors; And so much more. For more information, please visit: www.1GirlRevolution.com/KaraRobinsonChamberlain