Walk in My Shoes | Join the cause in Orlando this weekend!

There’s something really cool happening right now, as you’re reading this, here in Florida. And, if you’re looking for something positive and fun and helpful to do this weekend, you should take a look at this…

A woman named Lauren, who started the organization Lauren’s Kids, is in the middle of a 500 mile walk from Aventura to Tallahassee, Florida to raise awareness for Sexual Abuse Awareness Month. She’s been walking since April 2nd and will continue walking until she marches on the steps of the state capitol on April 20th where she is hosting a rally to encourage and support the passing of pending legislature to protect children from sexual abuse. You can track where she is on tour here and keep up with the entire trip via photos on the Lauren’s Kids Flickr page.

Her mission (as stated on the Lauren’s Kids website) is to prevent sexual abuse through awareness and education, and to help survivors heal with guidance and support. As a survivor herself, Lauren understands the painful journey to healing that victims of this horrible crime endure and this walk is not only to raise support and awareness, but also to symbolize the long and arduous journey to healing that every single victim goes through. It’s a really amazing undertaking and Nate and I are sad that we won’t be able to walk with her tomorrow as we’ll be out of town but for the rest of you here in Orlando, you can join her in her walk through our city and show your support by spreading the word as well as donating to the cause.

I’ve never publicly told anyone about this but I know someone who is a sexual assault victim. When I was very young probably about 5 years old I had a friend and I used to play at her house all the time. She had a baby sister, a pet pot-bellied pig, and a dad who stayed to himself in the den most the time. I never felt unsafe when I was there. A few years ago my mom told me that the baby sister admitted that her dad had been sexually assaulting her for years since her infancy. Her INFANCY. I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe I was so close to danger. I couldn’t believe a dad could do that to his daughter. I couldn’t believe it could happen to someone I knew, in a house I played dress up in. This cause of Lauren’s is great. She inspires people like my friend’s baby sister to speak out. She helps children know that they shouldn’t hide in shame and that their abusers are the criminals, not them. This is something happening in our neighborhoods, in our backyards, and it needs to stop. And if you’re looking for something to join forces with, Lauren’s Walk in my Shoes is a great thing to help out with.

Lauren will be starting her walking in Orlando tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 7:30am and will be a featured speaker at the Sexual Assault Treatment Center in Kissimmee at noon. She’ll also be at the big public library downtown at 2pm for the SAAM Event with Orange County Victim Services where Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum is going to attend and walk with Lauren for a little while after that. She will be ending her walking on Saturday at the Festival Bay Mall at 6pm. Visit the Lauren’s Kids website for more info on how you can get involved! And please, if you would, share the word on facebook and twitter.

(all images copyright Timothy Beckford and Sara Kauss, used with permission)

.

.

.