Carolyn Robinson is an Educator and the Founder/Managing Director of Beyond DV, a Brisbane-based charity which was established in 2017 after her younger daughter was impacted by domestic violence.
Beyond DV is focused on supporting women and children as they rebuild their lives, through innovative recovery programs and services underpinned by their “Five Pillars of Recovery” Framework and delivered from their three secure centres across Brisbane. These centres have become a “home away from home” for many DFV survivors- places where families can heal, supported by professionals and peers.
In 2022, Beyond DV established the HOPE Hub at Westfield Carindale. The first of its kind in Australia, this highly secure and accessible space has been accessed by more than 2000 community members seeking support around social issues, with a focus on domestic violence and mental health.
In 2023, Beyond DV opened Hannah’s Sanctuary, a nine-townhouse transitional housing complex in partnership with a Brisbane developer and Small Steps 4 Hannah. Nine families representing eight nationalities are currently rebuilding their lives after DFV, supported by the Beyond DV team and with full access to their suite of recovery programs.
Carolyn is also the creator of the highly innovative Love&Learn Teen Relationship App which helps young people to identify healthy and unhealthy relationships.
Carolyn is the current Chair of the Australian Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Recovery Alliance, which was launched in May 2022. The Alliance brings together the voices of frontline workers, academics, corporates and lived experience community members to advocate on the importance of long-term, holistic, trauma-informed and culturally appropriate recovery programs for women and children impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence, as a critical form of prevention.
The desire to turn a negative experience into something positive will continue to be a focus for Carolyn and the Beyond DV Team.