Bio
Jen Robison
I was born in Hollywood and raised in Southern California, fortunate to be born into a loving family. I grew up spending equal time following my big brothers and totally lost in my own imaginary play-world.
After some traumatic events that love could not prevent, I became a depressed, then over-medicated, kid. This depression would culminate in my being sent away to Provo Canyon School (PCS) when I was 14 years old. I would then spend three years of my childhood held in the TTI in Utah. My experiences there have taken many years to comprehend. I tried to speak out about Institutional Child Abuse, in a still damaged state, when I was only 19 (2008). It would not be until I became a mother myself, and began to research PCS in 2018, that I would come close to actually understanding the gravity of the harm done to us in that place. Then, I learned about all of the many places like it.
I felt strongly that I needed to do my part to help this long-ignored issue be known, and have since done my damndest to share the information as well as encourage others to share their stories when healthy to do so. I have learned so much through the process of creating videos like the Short History of the TTI, PSA survivor stories to help launch the #breakingcodesilence movement, and graphics to inform the public. In hearing from survivors, families, former TTI workers, and various others I am still developing my understanding of the systemic problems which continue to harm to our youth. All of this lead to my 2021 participation in the docuseries “Teen Torture, Inc.”
I don’t want to be defined by injuries in my childhood. Like so many others, I refuse to be a victim. Nor do I want to link my identity into being only a “survivor”. I’m an artist, mother, wife, runner, weird dog lady, and youth rights advocate.
My story has lead me to the life and inspirations I have now. My hope is to live in such a way that I can help others stand up, and be part of building a society where children do not face the same dangers that they do today from Institutional Child Abuse.