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Emotions were high at the state capitol today as a victim of years of sexual abuse finished a 500 mile walk from Tampa and collapsed on the lawn of the old capitol. Lauren Book-Lim was molested by her nanny as a child. She spent the last 20 days walking to raise awareness of sexual abuse and to encourage victims to speak out and hold their heads high.

“I think that the pain that I suffered as a child was awful and should never, ever happen to a child. But today, it’s not so much pain; it’s elation, it’s excitement, it’s huge relief. We’re just so proud to be here and I’m just so glad that I was able to do this and speak for other survivors,” said Lauren.

Her Father, Ron Book, one of Florida’s most influential lobbyists, was over come with pride for his daughter’s effort to stop sexual abuse.

“The ability for her to go out there and just try to tell people, look
at me, I’m OK, shed your shame, shed that embarrassment, don’t be
afraid. It’s a big deal. There was not a day of the walk that she did
not get incredible stories,” said Book.

Lauren is asking lawmakers to boost funding for programs that help sex crimes victims and is leading a program to teach kids how to report sexual abuse.