Tallahassee, Fla. (April 30, 2025) — In honor of April’s designation as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 500 walkers joined Lauren’s Kids, a South Florida-based nonprofit, today to complete its tenth 1,500-mile Walk in My Shoes trek across Florida. The month-long initiative was led by Lauren’s Kids Founder and CEO, former Florida State Senator Lauren Book, a survivor and advocate who has led the charge in Florida to prevent childhood sexual abuse and help survivors heal for decades.
“Every mile we walk, every story we share, sends a powerful message: our children are worth fighting for,” said Book. “Together, we are shining light into the darkness and breaking the silence that once held so many captive. This mission is personal, it’s urgent, and it’s a promise we make — to protect, to heal, and to never stop fighting for those who need us most.”
The Walk in My Shoes statewide awareness walk launched in Key West on April 1, taking to Florida’s highways and byways in communities across the state to raise awareness and advocate for change, before concluding with a final trek to the steps of the Florida Capitol on April 30. The organization then held a “Rally in Tally” to raise awareness of the pervasiveness of child abuse, help survivors heal, and celebrate pending legislative victories this session.
Notable organizations and attendees at the final walk and rally included: the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, the Florida Network of Child Advocacy Centers, Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, Refuge House (Tallahassee’s local sexual assault program), Children’s Home Society (Tallahassee’s local child advocacy center), the Tallahassee-Leon Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, Florida State University, PACE Center for Girls organizations across the state, state leaders, and more.
Throughout the month-long trek, Lauren’s Kids was supported by major league sports teams, including the Miami Heat and Florida Panthers, several chapters of Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA), who blocked roadways for safe passage, elected officials, Sheriff’s departments, State Attorney’s Offices, children’s advocacy centers, victim services organizations, and more.
Lauren’s Kids walked through more than 28 cities across the state, making stops in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Parkland, Coral Springs, Naples, Sarasota, Tampa, Lakeland, Orlando, Daytona, St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Panama City, Pensacola, Marianna and more. Many of the walkers who joined Lauren’s Kids for walks in their communities also traveled to the Capitol for the final decade-in-the-making milestone — including from as far away as Key West. In total, more than 5,000 people took meaningful steps this April to stop child abuse, help survivors heal and show their support for prevention efforts.
“There are more than 42 million child sexual abuse survivors in the U.S. — a staggering number that demands our attention,” said Book. “One in three girls and one in five boys will experience abuse before they turn 18. This crisis touches every corner of every community, and silence is not an option — we must rise together to raise awareness, empower families with prevention tools, and support survivors on their path to healing.”
This legislative session, Lauren’s Kids advocated for the following bills, which are on track to pass:
- SB 1180/ HB 757- Sexual Images - Combatting the creation and distribution of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM)
- SB 1400/HB 1161 – Removal of Altered Sexual Depictions Posted without Consent – Enhances the ability for victims to have “deepfake” content removed from digital platforms
- SB 1654/ HB 1351 – Registration of Sexual Predators and Sexual Offenders – Enhancing reporting requirements for sexual predators
In addition to walking, Lauren’s Kids held several abuse prevention education lessons at schools across the state. The age-appropriate lessons included topics such as how to use your “I Mean Business Voice” and why all kids should have a “Trusted Triangle” — three adults they can turn to if they need to disclose an uncomfortable situation. These topics are central to the Safer, Smarter Kids curriculum developed by Senator Book and Lauren’s Kids, which is used in schools nationwide. The team also completed a service project at Peace River Victim Services to refresh its victim services room and staff break room.
