Providing a Lifeline of Escape for Domestic Violence Survivors

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Laura Pahules. Laura was recognized as a 2024 Women of Worth honoree by L’Oréal Paris. These nonprofit leaders each receive $25,000 to support their cause, mentorship from the L’Oréal Paris network and a national platform to tell their stories. Nominations for 2025 are now open through March 8, 2025. Nominate an inspirational leader today!

Content Warning: Points of Light is proud to share the following uplifting and inspiring story. However, we acknowledge that portions of this story mention domestic violence and may be difficult for some readers. We encourage you to please care for your own well-being above all.

Laura Pahules is on a mission to break the cycle of domestic violence by providing immediate, life-saving assistance to survivors in crisis. As the founder and president of Control Alt Delete, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals escaping abusive situations, Laura ensures that those in danger have the resources they need to start over safely. Inspired by her own journey as a survivor, she recognized the urgent gaps in crisis response and took action, creating a support system that prioritizes immediate intervention.

Under Laura’s leadership, Control Alt Delete has expanded its reach and impact, now facilitating an average of 50 life-saving escapes every single day. By providing essentials such as transportation, emergency shelter and personal safety resources, the organization has assisted thousands of individuals in their journey toward independence. What sets Laura’s work apart is the sense of urgency—help is provided exactly when it’s needed, ensuring survivors don’t have to wait for bureaucratic processes to secure their safety.

Laura’s background in technology and nonprofit work has been instrumental in streamlining crisis response. She has created an efficient, resource-driven organization that operates swiftly and effectively, collaborating with shelters, law enforcement and advocacy groups to provide rapid assistance. Her tech-savvy approach has also helped raise awareness and increase funding, allowing Control Alt Delete to expand its services to more communities.

Beyond logistics, Laura’s work is deeply personal. She knows firsthand the fear, uncertainty and isolation that survivors face, which is why she is committed to bringing hope to those who need it. By turning her personal struggles into a force for good, she has given countless individuals the opportunity to reclaim their lives.

Tell us about your volunteer role.

I founded the organization in September of 2019, because I noticed there was no agency helping someone trying to escape domestic violence in their immediate time of need, other than the police, whose funding is often tied to geographical constraints. I wanted to be able to help. I’ve worked in the nonprofit field for years and knew that I wanted this to be a volunteer position, with the largest impact I could have.

On a day-to-day basis, I process every escape that comes in. On average, we facilitate about 50 escapes every day, although we get about 300 requests a day. About 50 of them fall within the scope of our mission, which is referral based – meaning a request comes in from the police, prosecutor’s office, crisis response teams and victim advocates. We’re one-time assistance only, so we verify name and date of birth. Then, using some of my technology and some of the world’s technology, we can facilitate the escape in less than a minute.

Most times, a survivor needs to leave right away. This is why we have a referral process. A lot of times, for instance, a mom can’t just put her kids in a car and leave. There are legalities around that. So the referral process ensures that certain steps have been taken and they can safely leave, within minutes of our getting that information.

Right now, the key for us is Arizona, where we’re based. These survivors are either in Arizona, are staying in Arizona to escape their abuser or are coming to Arizona, from another state, to reach safety. As funding increases, that demographic may change.

We have what we call “mega escape days.” We have one coming up – one of the largest escape days that exist, which is the Superbowl. We go from 50 escapes per day to hundreds of escapes that day. Anytime there are holidays, celebration days or large sporting events, there’s always a spike in the request for help from domestic violence. I encourage people to be aware of this in their own communities. If you see something, say something. Don’t knock on the door; call the police. Ask for help.

Can you tell us a bit about your personal journey with surviving domestic violence?

I grew up in an abusive household, full of domestic violence. At a young age, I married an abuser because that was the life I know. I didn’t realize there could be life outside of abuse. It wasn’t until I had children and they were a couple years old that I realized I didn’t want my kids living in fear and walking on eggshells, and all the other things that come with living in an abusive home. That led me to escape my abuser. That’s the very simplified version of what happened.

It took me many years afterward to heal and find that I could be independent and find happiness in life. And it took a lot of volunteer work too, because I realized one of the best things I could do for myself in healing and recovery was volunteer work, as well as having my kids volunteer too.

Then in 2010, I started working in the nonprofit field, and saw a lot of things I liked about nonprofits and a lot of things I didn’t like. When I set out to create my own organization, I used that knowledge base to create Control Alt Delete, which is 100% volunteer-run, with no state of federal funding at all and saving lives every single day.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

Honestly, it’s being able to facilitate these escapes and knowing that we’re integral to survivors’ safety. We just hit our five year anniversary in September. Since our founding, we’ve facilitated 38,717 escapes from domestic violence, and that includes 74,232 children. Domestic violence impacts so many people. National statistics say 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men are affected by domestic violence. Someone you know is being abused and needs help escaping. And that’s what we do.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

Everybody can make a difference. When you identify an issue that’s happening in your community, remember that it doesn’t have to be a big, coordinated effort to fix that problem. Just take the first step to do it. The reward of knowing, I’m changing our community, I’m getting people to safety, is unparalleled. It’s such a good feeling.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

There are always agencies that need help with volunteering. Find what resonates with you – that’s the most important thing. If a cause doesn’t resonate with you, you’re not going to be the best volunteer for that agency. There are nonprofits to address nearly every issue out there.

In all the different nonprofits I’ve worked with over the years, there are always ways for volunteers to get involved. The time commitment can be a half hour a month. It can be whatever you can give. It doesn’t have to be a huge effort to make a difference.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

There is life after abuse, and it is beautiful. I knew there was a need for Control Alt Delete; I just didn’t realize how great that need was going to be.

The impact of domestic violence is touching everyone in our community’s life. There are ways we can help fix that.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Laura? Find local volunteer opportunities.