Life with My Idiot Family: A True Story of Survival, Courage and Justice over Childhood Sexual Abuse - Paperback

by Valerie Utton (Editor), Kathy and Gary Picard (Author)

Seven-year-old little girls love their daddy. Kathy was no exception, so when her daddy started paying "special" attention to her, she felt "special" in turn. Her daddy loved her... what could be better than that?

Few betrayals run as deep as the betrayal of being sexually abused throughout your childhood by the man you should have been able to trust with your life. For Kathy, the betrayal ran deeper because when she finally found the courage to start speaking out about what her abuser did to her, her family responded by labeling her a liar and a troublemaker.

Kathy didn't stop speaking out though. In fact, she spoke out more, eventually becoming a powerful voice in the nine year campaign to get both the criminal and civil statute of limitations extended for child sex abuse crimes changed in Massachusetts. On June 26, 2014, the day the civil bill was signed into law, Kathy was finally able to file suit against her abuser.

Abusers get away with their crimes because the thought of confronting them-even through legitimate legal channels-can be a terrifying prospect for a victim. Yes, Kathy's story as a victim is filled with years of sexual abuse and threats, but there are many more years filled with personal and professional triumphs as her life progressed beyond the physical and emotional reach of her abuser. Kathy is inspirational proof that good people can win, and that speaking out and fighting for what you truly believe in can help make this world a better place to live.

Author Biography

Kathy and Gary Picard are the co-authors of Life with My Idiot Family: A True Story of Survival, Courage and Justice over Childhood Sexual Abuse.

Since 2003, Kathy Picard has worked tirelessly to raise public awareness about the prevalence and realities of childhood sexual abuse. Using her own life's experience as a platform, she speaks to public, private and political audiences as part of her mission to expose childhood sexual abuse for the "dirty little secret" it continues to be, and to educate and inform all of us about how we can become a part of the solution.

For her consistent and concerted efforts towards raising awareness, and for being an active and vocal advocate in the successful reform of the Massachusetts Statute of Limitations laws regarding sex crimes against children, she was awarded an Unsung Heroine Award, the William Pynchon Award, and Zonta International's Founder's Day Award. Kathy continues to speak to audiences about the importance of each of us doing what we can to prevent childhood sexual abuse, while her achievements continue to remind us all that one person can make a difference.

After three failed attempts at hiring someone to help her write her story, her husband, Gary Picard wrapped his arms around her and agreed to give it a try. He knew a bit about writing, having attended Holyoke Community College. His essays and poetry have been published in the Art and Literary magazine, Pulp City. And now that Life with My Idiot Family has been written and published, he is moving on to writing stories about other people who have successfully faced their life challenges.

Together, Kathy and Gary continue to work, play, and thrive. They live in Western Massachusetts along with their two dogs, Abby and Sophie.