Meet Kathy Picard | Author, Educator and Survivor of Sexual Abuse

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kathy Picard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathy, how does your business help the community?
My Personal business creates social impact by using my voice and lived experience as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse to bring awareness, education, and meaningful change to individuals and communities. For more than 25 years, I have advocated for stronger laws that give survivors more time to come forward and seek the justice they deserve. Through public speaking, education, and outreach, I help both adults and children understand the importance of breaking the silence around sexual abuse. I provide education on prevention, warning signs, healthy boundaries, and what to do—and not do—when abuse is suspected or disclosed.

As the author of my memoir and children’s books, I have also created valuable resources that help educate, inspire, and support both survivors and families. My memoir shares a powerful story of survival, courage, and justice, offering hope to survivors and helping others better understand the lifelong impact of abuse. My children’s books provide age-appropriate tools to teach young children about safety, boundaries, and the importance of speaking up. These resources help extend my mission beyond speaking engagements, allowing me to reach and educate communities around the world.

My mission is to help survivors know they are not alone, empower communities to have difficult but necessary conversations, and ultimately create safer environments through awareness, prevention, and hope.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As an author of sexual abuse awareness resources, including my memoir, Life with My Idiot Family: A True Story of Survival, Courage and Justice over Childhood Sexual Abuse, and my children’s book, I Love You So Much That…, available in both English and bilingual Spanish/English editions, I believe my work stands apart because it is deeply rooted in lived experience, authenticity, and purpose.

What sets me apart from others is that I am not simply teaching from research or theory—I am speaking from personal experience as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. I understand the pain, trauma, silence, and challenges that so many survivors face because I have lived it myself. Through my books and public speaking, I strive to help others understand that they are not alone and that healing, hope, and justice are possible.

My journey to where I am today professionally was not easy. Overcoming trauma, finding my voice, and choosing to speak publicly about deeply painful experiences took tremendous courage, strength, and perseverance. There were many challenges along the way, but I learned that pain can be transformed into purpose. Instead of allowing my past to define me, I chose to use it to create change, help others, and advocate for stronger laws that protect survivors and give them more time to seek justice.

One of the greatest lessons I have learned is the importance of being a leader rather than a follower. I have learned to stand strong in my mission, trust my voice, and continue moving forward even when the work feels difficult. A saying that has stayed with me is, “One person can make a difference.” I truly believe that, and I have dedicated my life to proving it.

What I want the world to know about me, my brand, and my story is simple: awareness leads to prevention, and one conversation can change a life. My hope is that the more people who read my story, hear me speak, and share my children’s books with young readers, the more lives we can impact. If we educate children early about safety, boundaries, and speaking up, we can help prevent abuse before it happens. My mission is to continue creating resources, inspiring change, and helping build a world where every child is safer and every survivor feels seen, heard, and empowered.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My Itinerary would most likely be a different one from most.

Their visit would be more of a non hectic visit and not a lot of running around but great company, talks, walks. Perhaps a movie and a great dinner to go where they would enjoy the type of food that they would mention to me.

Fortunately my Friends are just like me and not “High Maintenance” Ha Ha.

I would maybe take them to visit other friends that I have perhaps depending on the weather and time of year, a bonfire gathering. If in the Fall the walks on local trails would be interesting.

If they did wish to take drives it would be going to other New New England States, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire…

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First there are so many people and organizations that I would like to give credit and recognition to. Childhelp, Enough Abuse, MA Children’s Alliance. As for people in my life, much credit to my Husband Gary of 31 years who has been through so much with me. The journey of writing my memoir with him I will always be thankful for.

My Private Investigator, Louis Barry who unfortunately passed away on December 30 2025 was the person who helped me both Professional and Personally to get my Justice in my Federal Court case. He helped so many people in his life and will be missed.

As my Family not that big due to the sharing my abuse story…My Friends are my True Family and really matter to me.

And to those that have passed that meant the world to me who are still helping above, My Special Aunt Judi passed in 2000) and my mini schnauzer Abby (2025).

Website: Kathypicard.com and Iloveyouso much.org

Instagram: https://kathy.picard

Linkedin: kathy-picard

Twitter: Kathy Picard @KathyPicard1

Facebook: Authors Kathy and Gary Picard AND KathyPicard

Youtube: Life with My Idiot Family Authors Kathy @NewEnglandPublicMedia

Other: Email: Kathychildadvocate@gmail.com

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