Senator Lauren Book is Leading the Charge for Prevention & Child Safety
In honor of April’s designation as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Lauren’s Kids Foundation is raising awareness in communities across Florida with a 1,500 mile trek across the state – from the Southernmost Point in Key West to the Florida Panhandle. The month-long “Walk in My Shoes” campaign is led by Lauren’s Kids Founder and CEO Senator Lauren Book – aiming to raise awareness, educate communities, and empower survivors of child sexual abuse, in partnership with Florida’s sexual assault treatment centers, children’s advocacy centers, child protection units, Bikers Against Child Abuse, local schools, and more.
“April is a time to raise awareness and educate communities so that we can keep kids safe – and that’s what our 1,500-mile ‘Walk in My Shoes’ event is all about,” says Senator Lauren Book. “One in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys will suffer sexual abuse before graduating high school – and 1 in 5 children who touch a digital device will be sexually solicited online. The statistics are staggering, but the solution is clear: 95% of child sexual abuse IS preventable with education and awareness. Together, we can absolutely create change and protect childhood, and it all starts with education.”
In addition to raising awareness about prevention through walks and school visits, Lauren’s Kids is highlighting local resources for hope and healing in the communities the organization walks through – including children’s advocacy centers and sexual assault treatment programs, including those with the Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers and the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence.
“The Florida Council Against Sexual Violence works to ensure prevention and treatment programs are present in communities throughout the state for victims and survivors to access the resources needed to begin their healing journey,” says Jennifer Dritt, Executive Director of the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence. “Even if we do not realize it, statistically, each one of us knows someone who has experienced sexual violence – and each one of us likely knows a perpetrator, too. It is up to us all to educate ourselves and we are proud to work with Lauren’s Kids to become a part of the solution.”
There are 42 Million survivors of child sexual abuse living in the United States today, and at least 1 million children in Florida who are victims of this abuse. Child sexual abuse is happening in every single zip code across Florida and the United States, and is one of the most under-reported victim crimes. Seventy-five percent of children do not disclose abuse within a year of it occurring, and 45% of children do not disclose within 5 years. Local sexual assault treatment centers and children’s advocacy centers often have waiting lists for survivors seeking services. This is why prevention is key through school-based programs like Lauren’s Kids’ EMMY Award-winning Safer, Smarter Kids and Safer, Smarter Teens personal safety and abuse prevention curriculum programs – currently being used to educate millions of students across the country each year. Lauren’s Kids’ education visits on the Walk have previously resulted in children finding their voice and disclosing abuse.
SCHEDULE:
4/2 – Key West – School Visit
4/3 – Key West – Walk Kickoff from the Southern Most Point
4/4 – South Dade – Homestead walk with MUJER
4/5 – Miami – School Visit, Walk – Goulds to Coral Gables
4/6 – Miami – Morning Walk – Brickell to Wynwood with Kristi House, Afternoon Walk – Miami Gardens to North Miami
4/7 – Broward – Morning Walk – Dania Beach to Fort Lauderdale, Afternoon Walk – Fort Lauderdale to Oakland Park with the Nancy J. Cotterman Center
4/8 – Broward – Morning Walk in Weston, Afternoon School Visit – Davie
4/9 – Boca to Palm Beach walk with Palm Beach County Victim Service Center
4/10 – Naples to Fort Myers Walk with Project HELP
4/11 – Walk Sarasota to Bradenton with Safe Place Rape Crisis Center
4/12 – Brevard Service project at Brevard County CAC and walk from Naples to Fort Myers
4/13 – Orlando walk with Victims Service Center of Central Florida
4/14 – Pasco walk with Pasco County Kids First
4/15 – Pasco School visit and Ocala Walk
4/16 – St. Augustine Walk with Betty Griffin Center
4/18 – Jacksonville Walk with the Women’s Center of Jacksonville
4/19 – Gainesville School visit and walk with Gainesville Children’s Advocacy Center
4/20 – Tampa Walk
4/21 – St. Petersburg Walk
4/22 – Tallahassee school visit and walk
4/24 – Marianna Walk with the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center Satellite Office
4/25 – Pensacola Walk with Gulf Coast Kid’s House
4/26 – Fort Walton Walk with Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center
4/27 – Panama City walk with Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center
Registration is open to participate in the Lauren’s Kids ‘Walk in My Shoes’ trek across Florida. To find your local stop, along with more information, visit LaurensKidsWalk.org today.
Watch the ‘Walk in My Shoes’ promotion video here. Once the walk kicks off from the Southernmost Point in Key West on April 3, live-streaming of the walk will be available at LaurensKidsWalk.org, and high-res photos will be available at LaurensKidsPhotos.org.
To learn more about Walk in My Shoes media availability and RSVP for one of our many Walk in My Shoes press opportunities, email [email protected] or call 786-288-5045.
