“Why, Gary, Why?”

The Jody Plauché Story

By: Jody Plauché

Narrated by: Toby Tomplay

Deputy Mike Barnett asked Gary Plauché, “Why, Gary? Gary, why?” seconds after television cameras recorded Gary shooting and killing karate instructor Jeff Doucet, who had raped, molested, and kidnapped Gary’s son Jody. Now, thirty-five years later, Jody Plauché answers the deputy’s question on behalf of his late father and explores the story of his molestation, kidnapping, and survival. He unveils the sly tactics that child predators often use so that he can better inform parents of the potential signs that a person might harm their child.

Through his own incredible story of using his past for good by helping others, he shares how any listener who has suffered great trauma can move on and not let the past define him or her. You have the potential to overcome negativity and redefine your own story.

©2019 Joseph Boyce Plauche (P)2022 Joseph Boyce Plauche

Intriguing story

I definitely remember this happening when I was a kid. Hearing Jody tell his story was very powerful. I’ve worked with kids and it is such a difficult thing when you see children who have been traumatized by sexual or any abuse and the way it affects them. It is good to spread this message that it doesn’t mean their whole life is ruined. They can move forward and past these horrible things with the right support and understanding. Bravo

Proud of Jody for sharing his story

I wish this book had been in my mother’s hands when I was a child, and I wish she had read it and actually listened to it. Jody is my cousin, but I did not know him growing up because my mother did not allow me to have a relationship with him because my mother was 100000% convinced that June was sleeping with Jeff (she was NOT) and that this was the reason Jody was abused. My mother would say that June sleeping with “that man” “just made him so sexually turned on that he couldn’t control himself.” Yes, those words are what I grew up hearing about Jody and his story. My mother explained away and reasoned out the repeated rape of a child by a grown man. Unsurprisingly, my mother’s total and complete lack of understanding of grooming and sexual abuse led to my own abuse at the hands of both my brother and my sister, and I believe it led to my brother's abuse by a family friend.

I told and was not believed. If the adults in my life had resources like this book, my outcome may have been different. This book goes through the signs to look for, concrete steps to take to prevent/stop abuse, and resources for victims and their families after being abused. I always ask myself where my life would be if my mother had listened, if she had not been in such denial of sexual abuse, if she had not been so judgmental about June and Jody, if she had been educated properly on the red flags and signs and symptoms. Where would my life be if the information in this book was widely available back in the 80’s and 90’s? Thank you, Jody, for being so vulnerable and willing to be open. I am so proud of you for sharing your story and for the advocacy that you have dedicated your life to.

Eye opener

Everyone should read this book, especially parent. He gives great advice on what signs to look for. Brave man to tell the story exactly how it happened to him.

Essential Reading for Parents and Everyone Else

Heartfelt description of Jody’s experience with sexual abuse at 11 years old, and how he and his family survived and thrived it.

After reading this book, readers will understand that it is not the stranger in the street we need to worry about assaulting children - it is family members, friends of the family, and people who care for children that are the real threat to a child’s safety.

In the last chapters Jody includes actionable steps and resources for ensuring the safety of children, and if they are abused, how to respond to help them to thrive.

Sexual abuse is our worst nightmare but does not need to be an unbearable cross to bear.

This is Jody’s message and his story and life are proof that this is true.

So much more than what I thought it would be.

This book has so much more than just what everyone thinks they know from the news coverage. It's also very insightful and explains a lot of the ways abuse can happen. Overall this is an incredible book.

Awesome in many ways

The author's storytelling is done very well. I felt like I couldn't stop listening. And it was so informative, but not in a boring, lecture way. I definitely learned some useful things. Would definitely recommend this book to anyone. Especially parents.

Very informative

Thank you for sharing your story. I learned a lot from this, and will definitely be applying this to my everyday life.

Strength

I love hearing how he turned his life into a positive one. Judy you’re not only a survivor, but you are educating us. As a parent to 7 kids I thank you for this book. I learned how to better talk to my children.

important but a very rough listen

This was hard to listen to but a very good book. His perspective on this tragedy is inspiring.

Difficult Story, Great Story

The only way to review this is to be honest, just like Jody.

This is a difficult story to hear at times. And what makes it so good is Jody's honesty, but that also makes it somewhat difficult to hear. The candidness with which he explains how he feels during what is a horrific experience is both helpful in terms of really understanding the headspace of everyone involved from Jody, to Gary, to the perpetrator, and to everyone surrounding the situation.

I appreciated that while there was indeed a lot about Jody, this felt like a story of Gary Plauche with the sorry of what happened after, and that was important. Theres a reason the actions of Gary hit so hard on something inside every person who hears the story, and it's important to flesh out what that was, how it happened, what the effects were, and how it influenced both Gary and his son.

The narration is pretty spot on. I appreciated that it felt like it was coming from someone who cared (and, frankly, had that accent to match). My only critique is that the final section seemed to go on a bit too long with discussion of sexual assault in the abstract. Not that it isn't good info, just that the it sort of felt a little drawn out.

Overall a worthwhile listen.