Kidnapping survivor Jody Plauché on surviving abuse and trauma
The latest episode of RTÉ's acclaimed podcast, Insights with Sean O'Rourke, features author, speaker, and child safety advocate Jody Plauché. Listen back above.
As a child growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jody was sexually abused* and later kidnapped by his trusted karate instructor.
Just days after his rescue, Jody's father, Gary Plauché, took justice into his own hands, shooting and killing the abuser in front of TV cameras —an act that would spark national debate and media scrutiny.
In the years since, Jody has refused to be defined by the trauma he endured. Instead, he has become a leading voice in child abuse prevention and education. His book Why, Gary, Why? —named after the now-infamous words caught on camera—shares his story and helps others recognise the patterns of grooming and abuse that too often go unnoticed.
In their interview, Jody opens up to Sean on the healing process and his message to other survivors:
"You can go through something, if you have the proper support—be it a psychologist, a friend, just as long as you have someone who can give you the proper support."
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