KEY WEST WELCOMES LAUREN’S KIDS’ ‘WALK IN MY SHOES’ AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
Advocates to Join Child Sexual Abuse Survivor to Promote Awareness, Education and Prevention
Child sexual abuse prevention advocates, including survivors, educators, and community members, will gather in Key West to focus on survivorship around Lauren’s Kids’ seventh annual “Walk in My Shoes” journey across Florida to promote awareness, education and prevention.
Themed the “Hope & Healing Tour,” this year’s Walk will honor the 42 million survivors of child sexual abuse currently living throughout the United States through daily 4.2-mile walks and service projects all over the state dedicated to preventing abuse and helping survivors heal. The Walk coincides with the preview release of the Lauren’s Kids Hope & Healing Guide, a FREE proactive sexual abuse recovery roadmap for parents, victims and families.
Sunday, March 20th
12:30-1:15 Walk Check-in Bayview Park, Truman Avenue & Jose Marti Dr. Key West, FL 33040
1:30-3:00 4.2 Mile Walk Bayview Park, Truman Avenue & Jose Marti Dr. Key West, FL 33040
3:00-5:00 Hope Fest in Key West Bayview Park, Truman Avenue & Jose Marti Dr, Key West, FL 33040
“Hope Fest” is a safety festival with family-friendly activities and safety information for parents and caregivers – from the Foundation’s Safer, Smarter Schools curriculum
program. The event will feature free food, music, therapy animals, face painting, and more.
- 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18.
- 1 in 5 children are solicited sexually on the Internet before the age of 18.
- 30% of sexual abuse is never reported.
- 90% of child abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way.
- Approximately 20% of the victims are under age eight.
- Research shows that child sexual abuse in Florida translates to a loss of between $952M and $1.58B for victims and their families over their lifetimes.
Lauren’s Kids is a not-for-profit organization founded and led by Lauren Book, M.S.Ed. Book is a child sexual abuse survivor, child advocate and educator who works to prevent child abuse and help survivors heal. Through in-school curriculum, legislative advocacy and speaking engagements, Lauren’s Kids works to educate and raise awareness about the growing issue of child sexual abuse. She has, to date, walked the state six times – logging more than 7,500 miles – to raise awareness and educate communities as part of her annual “Walk in My Shoes.” For more information, visit www.LaurensKids.org.