Interactive display will showcase the staggering
issue and impact of sexual violence in Florida
An emotional and eye-opening display featuring more than 750 shoes worn and submitted by sexual assault survivors of all ages from across the state of Florida, and accompanying stories, will be decorating the Capitol rotunda April 19-21.
To honor National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Child Abuse Prevention month, Lauren’s Kids and the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence (FCASV) are hosting the display to ask others to “walk in the shoes” of survivors. This awareness event is supported by Senator Lauren Book (D – Plantation) and Representative Kristin Jacobs (D – Coconut Creek). It’s intended to raise awareness and shatter stigmas surrounding sexual violence, as well as give victims, survivors and those affected by this issue a voice at the Capitol — asking others to “walk in their shoes.”
Fifteen child victims, who now consider themselves to be survivors, will be in attendance to ‘unveil’ the display in the Capitol rotunda and speak with legislators, as will members from the organization Bikers Against Child Abuse Florida (BACA) – who will be riding from across Florida to attend.
The shoes displayed include child, adult, male, female, tattered, high-end, and others to illustrate that sexual violence affects Floridians of all ages, genders, races, religions, and socioeconomic statuses. Every 98 seconds an American is sexually assaulted.
WHO: Senator Lauren Book, Representative Kristin Jacobs, Lauren’s Kids, and the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, as well as young survivors and Bikers Against Child Abuse members
WHAT: “Walk in My Shoes” National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month display unveiling and media opportunity
WHEN: Wednesday, April 19 at 12:30 p.m. (Display will run April 19 – 21)
WHERE: Capitol rotunda
For media: There will be a short program at 12:30 p.m. to provide background on the display; speakers (Sen. Book, Rep. Jacobs, FCASV Executive Director Jennifer Dritt, young survivors, BACA) will be available for one-on-one interviews immediately following the program.
