Florida Lawmaker Walks Across State to Raise Awareness of Child Sexual Abuse
As reported by Click Orlando, a former Florida Senator is walking across the state to raise awareness of sexual assault. Lauren Book—herself a survivor of child sex abuse and the founder of the non-profit organization Lauren’s Kids—is seeking to bring change and protect vulnerable children. Here, our Miami sexual assault and battery attorney discusses the problem and the effort.
Child Sexual Abuse is a Serious Problem
Unfortunately, child sexual abuse is a very serious problem. It is a well-documented fact that is recognized by every major health, legal, and child protection institution in the United States and around the world. Yet, even though we know the problem is real, a lot more needs to be done. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys in the United States experience sexual abuse at some point during childhood. The long-term effects are very serious. Children who have been abused sexually face:
- Anxiety and depression;
- Substance abuse issues;
- Trouble developing relationships; and
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Another very alarming concern is that child sexual abuse is widely believed to be systematically under reported. Indeed, The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has found that the vast majority of child sexual abuse cases go unreported, often due to fear, shame, manipulation, or lack of safe support systems. Many institutional failures contribute to the problem.
Note: Victims have legal rights. The crime can and should be reported to the police. There may also be a civil legal claim against the perpetrator and any negligent third parties. In Florida, there are special rules for the civil statute of limitations in child sex abuse cases.
A 1,500 Mile Walk to End Child Sexual Abuse in Florida (April 2025)
Former Florida State Senator Lauren Book is currently leading the 10th annual Walk in My Shoes, a 1,500-mile awareness campaign across Florida to spotlight the prevention of child sexual abuse and support for survivors. The walk started on April 1st, 2025, in Key West. It is scheduled to conclude on April 30 in the state capital of Tallahassee. Notably, the walk coincides with National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The walk was organized by Ms. Book’s nonprofit, Lauren’s Kids. Any person can join. Indeed, the walk involves survivors, advocates, and community members. They are all traversing the state in order to raise awareness about child sexual abuse and prevention. The route includes stops in numerous cities, including in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.
Contact Our South Florida Sexual Assault Lawyer for Victims Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our Miami sexual assault attorney is a compassionate, experienced advocate for victims. We fight tirelessly for justice. If you or your loved one was the victim of sexual assault, we are here to help. With an office in Miami and an office in West Palm Beach, we represent victims throughout South Florida, including in Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward counties.
Source:
clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/04/18/survivor-former-state-senator-walks-1500-miles-to-raise-awareness-for-sexual-assault/
