Surviving sexual abuse is a difficult and painful process, but so is a 500-mile walk from Aventura to Tallahassee.
Lauren Book, 25, is doing both.
"A Walk In My Shoes" will start April 2 in Aventura near the house where Lauren was assaulted and is expected to end April 20 at the Florida Capitol.
The walk is being supported by a $10,000 contribution from Miami Heat guard Dwayne Wade.
"I started with the idea of walking across the country but was talked out of that," Book said. "Then, I thought of a bike ride, but the physical labor of walking, one step at a time, one day at a time, will allow more people to participate and will be symbolic of the journey every survivor goes through, one that requires a lot of effort, hope, strength and of course support."
The founder and executive director of "Lauren's Kid's," a foundation established to help draw attention to sexual abuse and promote healing for sexual abuse survivors, Book was abused by the family's nanny for six years starting when she was 10 years old.
"I was hurt physically and emotionally and felt alone and embarrassed. When my family finally found out what was going on, they came to my aid and to my defense. But, the long road that followed on the way to seeking justice highlighted many problems with the justice system," she said.
The nanny, Walinda Flores, was eventually found guilty of sexual battery and lewd and lascivious behavior and is now serving a 25-year sentence in state prison.
Lauren's father, Ron Book, is one of the state's best known government lobbyists. He helped get the Lauren Book Act through the Legislature. The law makes any contact by a convicted sex offender with a victim punishable by prison. He also helped lengthen the statute of limitations for sexual crimes against a minor and helped secure state funds for victim-treatment centers.
At present, there are several pieces of legislation being considered by the Florida House and Senate that further address concerns for the safety of children.
Reps. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, and Maria Lorts Sachs, D-Delray Beach, are co-sponsoring HB 535, the "Safe Harbor Act," which provides for placement of a child alleged to have been sexually exploited in a short-term safe house. Child safety zone bills that say registered predators or offenders must stay at least 300 feet away from bus stops, schools, parks and playgrounds are being sponsored by Rep. Richard Glorioso, R.-Plant City, and Sens. Dave Aronberg, R-Greenacres, and Victor Crist, R-Tampa.
According to Ron Book, his and his daughter's "number one priority" is the continued funding of rape crisis centers.
John Hinds can be reached at JHinds1949@aol.com
