Local sexual abuse survivor speaks out during April's month of awareness
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Kathy Picard is a sexual abuse survivor, and now she's an advocate to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else.
Picard told 22News she was abused when she was just seven years old. The abuse continued until she was 17. 'It's not stranger danger anymore, it's people that you just sometimes least expect,' shared Kathy.
Most recently, a Springfield Police Officer is facing charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a student while he was an assistant coach at Somers High School in Connecticut.
Springfield Police Superintendent, Lawrence Akers suspended Perez for 5 days without pay. His suspension is the maximum allowed under civil service law without a hearing.
Survivors like Kathy are speaking out with news like this hitting too close to home. 'Keep on telling. Find somebody that can help you because sometimes people will tell you once and they don't get that help. But keep on telling until the right person can help you,' said Kathy.
Kathy Picard has been an advocate for more than 25 years. She's created resources that can help prevent sexual abuse from happening.
From a children's book in English and Spanish to a memoir sharing her story of courage with those in the criminal justice field. Kathy shared with 22News that open communication and teaching children about their rights and body boundaries can prevent abuse.
If you would like to contact Kathy you can email her at kathychildadvocate@gmail.com. She frequently visits community colleges and employers to speak about what to do if you are ever put in this kind of situation.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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