Lauren Book is walking to help 42 million children.
About 30 volunteers joined her; a police car led the group while a large pink and blue tour bus followed behind.
She’s walking 4.2 miles every day from Monday to Friday, starting and ending at the Child Advocacy Center each afternoon, to raise awareness for childhood sexual abuse.
Her organization, Lauren’s Kids, started the “Walk in My Shoes” movement.
For the past seven years, Book has walked the state of Florida to educate people and prevent children from being sexually abused.
She walks 4.2 miles every day to symbolize the 42 million American children who are survivors of the abuse.
This year, she is traveling from Panama City, Florida, to Key West; Melbourne, Florida, is her next stop after Gainesville, Florida.
Book said she founded the organization after being sexually abused from the age of 10 to 16 by her family’s live-in nanny.
“My family and I decided that we needed to turn a horrific, harrowing experience into something positive where we can create change,” she said. “It shouldn’t hurt to be a child and all too often it does.”
She said her mission is to support survivors of childhood sexual abuse and let them know it’s OK to speak up. This week, she will visit schools in Gainesville and Alachua County.
“It’s all about educating communities,” she said.
Lexi Sidle, a 19-year-old UF finance sophomore, said she heard about the walk from her sorority, Kappa Delta.
She said advocating for child abuse victims has always been a passion of hers.
In high school, she would help fundraise for child abuse advocacy programs.
Sidle joined the walk Wednesday.
“I just wanted to come out and support,” Sidle said. “I hope it spreads awareness.”
Sidle said it was her first time participating in the event.
“I’m definitely coming back Friday,” Sidle said.
