 |
| Lauren Book with President Obama, March 20, 2014. (Photo Courtesy Joe Reilly) |
Not only is today April 1st, but it’s also the first day of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month. So I thought this would be the perfect time to share Lauren Book’s journey during her Walk in My Shoes for Lauren’s Kids. Her message is simple, clear, and the single most important thing we need to teach our children: It’s ok to tell.
Lauren Book is a survivor. She was sexually abused as a child for six years at the hands of her nanny. She told me recently that when she was dealing with the emotional trauma of this abuse, her father Ron Book counseled her with this advice; you can either feel sorry for yourself, or you can help others. This brave woman decided on the latter, and formed Lauren’s Kids. Her mission is to prevent childhood sexual abuse through awareness and education, and help survivors with guidance and support.
Sexual Abuse Statistics
Did you know 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys will be sexually abused? These statistics frightened me when I heard them recently at the Call of the Game Dinner organized by Eric Reid and Tony Fiorentino. 95% of abuse though is preventable with education.
 |
| Lauren walking with Miami HEAT Head Coach Erik Spoelstra . (Photo Courtesy: Omar Vega, LaurensKidsPhotos.org) |
Walk in My Shoes
For the fifth straight year, Lauren is in the middle of her Walk in My Shoes, where she walks for 42 days from Key West to Tallahassee to spread awareness for the 42 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse in the U.S. Lauren literally pounds the pavement for 1,500 miles, all in hopes of saving children. She begins her day every morning at 4:00 am, and walks until sundown. She is such an amazing person, and I am so thankful to have met her through the Miami HEAT, and have walked with her.
Lauren began her trek this year in Key West on March 16, 2014, and did a lap around the American Airlines Arena on March 21st. I had a chance to sit down and chat with her, and she shared the keys for parents on how to broach this difficult subject with our kids.
Interview with Lauren Book from Kristen Hewitt on Vimeo.
 |
| (Photo Courtesy: Omar Vega, LaurensKidsPhotos.org) |
What Can You Tell Your Kids?
- No one can touch you where your bathing suit fits, except those we allow. (Just parents and doctor if we are present)
- You are never to approach a stranger, talk to someone you do not know, or sit in a strangers lap. Especially if they are trying to give you candy or a present.
- Develop a trusted triangle, the 3 people your child knows he/she can talk to or fully trust.
- If someone makes you uncomfortable or touches you, extend your arm and yell “stop stranger danger!”
These are just the first of many things we can do as parents to give our children a voice, and empower them to tell us if something feels, as Lauren puts it, “icky”. I want my daughters to know that their feelings are important, and give them the confidence to speak out. This is especially difficult for children if someone they know tells them it’s not OK to tell.
 |
| (Photo Courtesy: Omar Vega, LaurensKidsPhotos.org) |
Lauren concludes her walk on April 22nd at the states capital with a rally in Tallahassee. If you live in Florida please join her on the walk. You can also read more about Lauren’s story here, in her own words.
Wow. This was really great and spot on. Thanks for sharing this and for giving press to such an important topic.
WOW! So inspirational and informative! What an amazing and strong person Lauren is! Thank you for sharing this!
I was hoping this was the topic when I saw your title. It”s such an important thing to educate our children about. I try to instill in The Girl that we have no secrets. There’s nothing that we (mom, dad, and her) can’t all talk about openly and honestly. There is something about childhood sexual trauma that frightens me for her somewhere beyond the normal ‘mom fear’. I want to be vigilant, but at the same time I don’t want to make her mistrustful of everyone… if that makes any sense.
Great post! Thanks for linking up with Spread the Love!
Thanks for having us April! And yes, this topic is so so important, and such a delicate balance with the little ones. We are trying to choose a Kindergarten now, and the thought of anyone hurting her is frightening. But we practice what she is to say and explain that not everyone is bad – but no matter what you always tell mom and dad. Even if you are scared we will be mad.
This is such a great bit of news. As a survivor of sexual abuse, I think this really is a near and dear topic to my heart. I love this idea of walking for the issue.
I hope that she is able to get her program into the school systems and everywhere.
Crystal, I am so sorry to hear of your past, but so happy you are doing well. Lauren is an inspiration, as are all survivors, and I’m so glad you were able to read her story.
Wow, I had not heard about this story before. But glad to know that 95% of sexual abuse is preventable! Thanks for sharing during the Thoughtful Spot Blog Hop!
Thanks for sharing this Kristen. This is one of my greatest fears for my kids. We talk to the kids about stranger danger and where people are allowed to touch them, but we haven’t given really specific instructions. I love the things you’ve told your kids…totally going to use those! With kindergarten starting, it’s more important than EVER that my kids know boundaries and understand this kind of stuff.
Lauren has a wonderful message and is doing something incredible, too…I’m sharing this everywhere!
Thanks for linking this up at Wordy Wednesday!