Former Florida Senator Kicks Off 11th Annual Walk to Support Abuse Survivors

Lauren Book's walk across the state aims to elevate the voices of those who have experienced sexual abuse.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 4:19pm

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Former Florida State Senator Lauren Book has launched her 11th annual statewide walk, encouraging survivors of sexual abuse to share their stories. The 'Raising Our Voices Tour' includes a mobile recording studio where people can record and submit their testimonies, with the goal of raising awareness and supporting those who have experienced abuse.

Why it matters

Book's advocacy work through her organization Lauren's Kids has brought renewed attention to the issue of sexual abuse, especially in light of the recent focus on the Epstein case. By providing a platform for survivors to share their stories, the walk aims to combat the forces that seek to silence these voices and ensure that survivors feel heard and supported.

The details

During a stop in the Florida Keys, Book told CBS News Miami that the walk is all about awareness and giving survivors a chance to elevate their voices. The tour includes a special recording studio on the bus where people can share their stories either online or in person. Book says this year's walk comes amid the renewed attention on the Epstein files, which has prompted more survivors to come forward.

  • The 11th annual walk kicked off this week in the Florida Keys.
  • The 'Raising Our Voices Tour' will continue across the state of Florida.

The players

Lauren Book

A former Florida state senator who founded the advocacy group Lauren's Kids to educate about and prevent sexual abuse.

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What they’re saying

“This is all about awareness. We want people sharing their stories. This is the Raising Our Voices Tour, and we're going to have a special recording studio with us [on the bus] so people can share their stories. They can do so online or come out and share in person.”

— Lauren Book, Founder, Lauren's Kids

“We want those voices to be elevated, because in doing so, we know people will pay attention to this issue. We don't want survivors to feel invisible. We want them to be heard. We want them to be seen.”

— Lauren Book, Founder, Lauren's Kids

“There are elements and forces out there every single day that seek to silence the voices of survivors. And we want to stop that from happening.”

— Lauren Book, Founder, Lauren's Kids

What’s next

The 'Raising Our Voices Tour' will continue across the state of Florida, providing more opportunities for survivors to share their stories and raise awareness about sexual abuse.

The takeaway

By giving survivors a platform to share their experiences, Lauren Book's annual walk aims to combat the forces that seek to silence these voices and ensure that those who have endured sexual abuse feel heard, supported, and empowered to speak out.