Survivors, Advocates Walk 10 Miles in Orlando to Raise Child Abuse Awareness

The annual 'Walk in My Shoes' tour aims to spark conversations and support survivors across Florida.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:04pm

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An abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a group of people walking together on a city street, their forms blurred in a warm, hazy wash of color and light, conveying the emotional tone of a community coming together in solidarity.Survivors, advocates, and community members unite in a symbolic journey to raise awareness and support for those impacted by child abuse.Today in Orlando

Survivors, advocates, and community members gathered in Orlando on Sunday to participate in the 11th annual 'Walk in My Shoes' tour, a 10-mile walk organized by the Lauren's Kids Foundation to raise awareness about child abuse and support survivors. The tour is part of a larger 1,500-mile journey across Florida, beginning in Key West and ending in Tallahassee.

Why it matters

Child abuse remains a pervasive issue, with 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys becoming victims before their 18th birthday. The walk aims to spark important conversations about prevention and provide resources for survivors, especially as technology creates new dangers for children.

The details

Participants began the walk on Michigan Street in Orlando, traveling 10 miles to Winter Park as part of the larger statewide tour. The walk brought together survivors, advocates, and community members to share their stories and push for greater awareness and action against child abuse.

  • The 11th annual 'Walk in My Shoes' tour made a stop in Orlando on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
  • The tour spans 1,500 miles across the state of Florida, beginning in Key West and ending in Tallahassee.

The players

Lauren's Kids Foundation

A non-profit organization founded by survivor and advocate Lauren Book, dedicated to preventing child abuse and supporting survivors.

Phillip Muniz

A survivor who participated in the walk to raise awareness and ensure no one feels alone.

Lauren Book

The founder of Lauren's Kids Foundation and a survivor who is leading the 1,500-mile walk across Florida to raise awareness and provide resources for other survivors.

Lauren Placarcé

A participant who walked in honor of her mother, a survivor of child abuse.

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What they’re saying

“You know, from my experience and just the many, many stories that I've heard, it can be anybody, really. We're not out here just for ourselves, but we're out here bringing awareness.”

— Phillip Muniz, Survivor

“1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys may become the victim of child sexual abuse before their 18th birthday. We know that one out of every five children that touch a digital device will be solicited for sex online.”

— Lauren Book, Founder, Lauren's Kids Foundation

“My mom's a survivor of it… so I also do it for her.”

— Lauren Placarcé, Participant

What’s next

The 1,500-mile 'Walk in My Shoes' tour will continue across Florida, with the final stop in Tallahassee.

The takeaway

The annual walk organized by Lauren's Kids Foundation serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing need to raise awareness, support survivors, and take action to prevent child abuse, especially as new digital threats emerge. The personal stories shared by participants underscore the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for all children.