Local sexual abuse survivor speaks out during April's month of awareness

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. Springfield police officer charged with sexually assaulting Somers high school student 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 re…

In April, Children's Health will be hosting an awareness campaign aimed at raising awareness among adults about the extent of sexual violence against children. The project manager for Children's Health says it is important to listen to the voices of children and adolescents so that better can be done, as less than half of children report abuse after it has occurred.