Kathy Picard is an inspiring award-winning advocate whose work centers on increasing awareness of the harsh realities of sexual child abuse.

As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, through her own process of trying to understand what happened to her, Kathy discovered that there was very little information about the subject of sexual abuse—even in the library. It was as if sexual abuse was “a secret” no one was willing to talk about! Since then, she has educated herself, and now actively seeks opportunities to speak about the importance of awareness, to share the resources she’s personally vetted, to educate people who want to know and do more, and to offer information and encouragement to fellow survivors and their family and friends.

Over her 15 years of advocacy—which included her persistent and determined work to get both the criminal and civil Statute of Limitations for sexual abuse eliminated—Kathy has been recognized for her efforts and received many awards, honors, and citations including:

• Zonta International’s 2014 Founder’s Day Award
• 2014 William Pynchon Award
• Governor’s Citation from former Governor Deval Patrick
• State Senate Citation from former Senator Gale Candaras
• Unsung Heroine Award from the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women
• Public Policy Advocacy Award from the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance
• Massachusetts Missing Children’s Day Award

Kathy has also gathered an extensive list of resources over the years, and has earned certifications to teach, train, and present a variety of programs including:

• Enough Abuse Campaign
• Talking About Touching: A Personal Safety Curriculum offered by the Committee for Children
• Stewards of Children: from Darkness to Light
• Childhelp Speak up be Safe: a safety awareness program for children K – 12 from Childhelp