South Fla. Rape Survivor Ends 1,000-Mile Walk At Capitol
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) – South Florida sexual abuse survivor Lauren Book will end her 1,000-mile walk across Florida at the state Capitol Tuesday.
The 26-year-old Book, of Plantation, has become an advocate for victims and abuse prevention. She began her 39-day "Walk in My Shoes" tour in Key West on March 19. It'll end on Tuesday on the steps of the state Capitol. She'll be joined on the final mile of the walk by Florida First Lady Ann Scott and the wives of the House speaker and Senate president.
Book, who was molested by her nanny when she was a child, walked up to 40 miles a day. The walk is aimed at promoting awareness about sexual assault. She also hopes to generate funding for counseling, and better legal protection for victims. Book is known for getting bills passed to help victims, prevent abuse and make it easier to prosecute offenders.
This year she's pushing for a law that would require rape suspects to get tested for hepatitis, include Internet safety courses in public school health curriculums and provide relocation assistance to victims.
For more information on sexual and physical abuse, and resources, go to laurenskids.org
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