In honor of April’s designation as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Lauren’s Kids, a South Florida-based nonprofit, is launching local, statewide and national initiatives to raise awareness, educate communities on prevention, and empower survivors of child sexual abuse. Efforts include a 1,500-mile walk — with support from major Florida sports teams — a national partnership with the YMCA, legislative advocacy and a friendship bracelet program providing support for survivors.
Lauren’s Kids will take their resources on the road to visit communities across Florida for its 10th “Walk in My Shoes” event. Starting on April 1, Lauren’s Kids founder and CEO Sen. Lauren Book will lead a 1,500-mile trek across the state from the Southernmost Point in Key West to the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee. Along the way, the nonprofit will partner with Florida’s sexual assault treatment centers, children’s advocacy centers, child protection units, Bikers Against Child Abuse, local schools, professional sports organizations – including the Miami HEAT and the Florida Panthers – elected officials, and more to unite communities, increase awareness of prevention efforts, and help survivors heal.
“The greatest risk factor for abuse is simply being a child — and as we lace up our sneakers to walk across the state, we are reminded that this fight is far from over,” said Book, one of the 42 million survivors of child sexual abuse living in the U.S. today. “Our April advocacy is about more than just raising awareness — it’s about action, education and empowering communities to protect our most vulnerable. Together, we can build a safer, stronger future for every child.”
Lauren’s Kids is supporting legislation to increase protections for children across the state and strengthen penalties for child abusers. During the 2025 legislative session, Lauren’s Kids is supporting several proposed bills to prohibit and enhance penalties for crimes against children, including cyberharassment, child porn, sex trafficking and sexual predator registration enhancements.
The walk of 1,500 miles begins with the first step at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2 at Key West’s Southernmost Point. Lauren’s Walk includes segments through the Keys, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Naples, Sarasota, Tampa, Lakeland, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, St Augustine, Orlando, Ocala, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Pensacola, Panama City. It ends April 30 at the state capitol in Tallahassee. To register for a Walk in My Shoes event, visit laurenskidswalk.org. Once the walk kicks off on April 2, live-streaming will be available at laurenskidswalk.org, and photos will be available daily at laurenskidsphotos.org.
