Elliott is a UK citizen. Her mother was British, father American. She has a Masters's degree in Psychology She began working with families and children in 1968, moving to the United Kingdom in 1971..
Work
Elliott worked as a guidance councillor at The American School in London, where her husband was a social studies teacher.
Kidscape
Elliott founded Kidscape in 1984 to help children stay safe from sexual abuse and from bullying. Elliott has been a high-profile figure and Kidscape was named Charity of the Year in 2000. Writing in The Guardian, David Brindle suggested the award was "an undoubted reflection of the vibrancy of Michele Elliott".
Elliott, who had previously written books about male abuse of children, has undertaken pioneering work in investigating and raising awareness of the problem and extent of child sexual abuse committed by women, and the topic of female paedophilia, publishing the book Female Sexual Abuse of Children The Last Taboo in 1992. The book was well received by professionals and survivors' organisations. Mike Lew described it as "an important and challenging work", helping "to forge a new understanding of the issues". Doody's annual stated it was "an extremely valuable book for all professionals, and it greatly increases the current state of knowledge, or lack of that knowledge, that can have a profound influence on the survivor's development and recovery". Elliott's work in exposing the issue of child sexual abuse committed by women has also resulted in hostility from feminists. While compiling Female Sexual Abuse of Children, Elliott organised a conference in London concerning sexual abuse by women. After publishing the book, Elliott was subject to a "deluge" of hate mail from feminists.
Awards
In 2008 Elliot was honoured with an OBE by the Queen for services to children. The following year she was named Children and Young People's Champion. She was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Birmingham in 2003.
Personal life
Elliot is married to Ed and they have two sons. She lives in Rye, East Sussex.
Publications
Keeping Safe: A Practical Guide to Talking with Children by Michele Elliott and Alice Englander, 1986, NCVO Publications,
The Willow Street Kids: It's Your Right to be Safe by Michele Elliott, 1986, Andre Deutsch Ltd
The Willow Street Kids: Be Smart Stay Safe by Michele Elliott, 1987, Piccolo Books
The Willow Street Kids: Beat the Bullies by Michele Elliott, 1997, Macmillan Children's Books,
601 Ways to Be a Good Parent: A Practical Handbook for Raising Children Ages Four to Twelve, by Michele Elliott, 1999, Citadel,
Bully-free: Activities to Promote Confidence and Friendship by Michele Elliott, Gaby Shenton and Roz Eirew, 1999, Kidscape
How to Stop Bullying by Michele Elliott and Jane Kirkpatrick, 2001, Kidscape
Bullying: A Practical Guide to Coping for Schools by Michele Elliott, 2002, Pearson Education,
Dealing with Bullying: Training Guide for Teachers of Children and Young People with Special Needs by Michele Elliott, Claude Knights, Jean Gawlinski and Catherine Calvert, 2008, Kidscape
The Essential Guide to Tackling Bullying: Practical Skills for Teachers by Michele Elliott, 2011, Longman,
