Regarding State Attorney General Pam Bondi’s
Investigation into Sexual Abuse by Florida Priests
On the investigation:
“I commend our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, for launching an investigation into any possible child sexual abuse committed by Catholic priests in Florida, following the news that more than 1,000 children were victimized by priests in Pennsylvania. Sadly, we know these instances are not isolated. Attorney General Bondi has sent a clear message to any person using their position of power to exploit and manipulate children: your actions are not tolerated, and you will not get away with harming children. Anyone who has contributed to the institutional victimization of children is a criminal and must receive the maximum punishment. Attorney General Bondi is once again shining light in dark places as she works to protect victims and stand up for those who have been silenced.”
On survivors coming forward:
“As a survivor of child sexual abuse, I know how scary it is to come forward, but I want all survivors to know that your voice matters, the guilt is not yours to carry, and you will be believed. If you or someone you love is a victim of sexual abuse, I promise it is okay to tell. Please visit the tip line created by Attorney General Bondi’s office. Together, we will work to ensure justice is served.”
About Lauren Book
Lauren Book, M.S. ED, founder and CEO of Lauren’s Kids, is an internationally-recognized child protection advocate, best-selling author and Florida State Senator who works every day to protect childhood. She is also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, suffered at the hands of a trusted caretaker from the time she was 10 until the age of 16. Armed with the knowledge that 95 percent of sexual abuse is preventable through education and awareness, Lauren has worked to turn her horrific personal experience into a vehicle to prevent childhood sexual abuse and help other survivors heal.
An official 501(c) (3) since 2007, Lauren’s Kids educates adults and children about sexual abuse prevention through in-school curricula, ADDY and EMMY Award-winning public awareness campaigns and speaking engagements around the country and the world. The organization also leads an annual statewide “Walk in My Shoes” awareness walk across the state of Florida – 1,500 miles from the Southernmost Point of the U.S. in Key West to the Capitol in Tallahassee – and provides more than 8 million direct mail education and awareness materials statewide. The foundation has helped advocate for the passage of nearly two dozen laws to support survivors and protect children from predators. For more information, please visit laurenskids.org.
