Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 255

Tonight's SPECIAL GUEST is Lauren Book, 27 year old founder of "Lauren's Kids," at www.laurenskids.org, a victim of childhood sexual abuse for six years at the hands of her nanny. Lauren has just completed a 1500 mile walk across her home state of Florida, the third such journey she's accomplished. This time she spent 39 days on the road, one day for each million of the 39 million Americans who have already suffered child abuse. Fully 10 years into her healing journey, Lauren is an outspoken and knowledgeable advocate for the issues of child abuse. Knowing that 95 percent of sexual abuse is preventable through education, Lauren seeks to turn her experience into a vehicle to prevent childhood sexual abuse and heal survivors. Lauren's organization educates adults and children about sexual abuse topics through an in school curriculum, a 24-hour Crisis Hotline and speaking engagements around the country. The organization also provides more than 4.5 million educational and awareness materials statewide through direct mail every year. The ultimate goal is to prevent sexual abuse through awareness and education, and to help survivors heal with guidance and support. Among her many admirers (and a blogger on Laura's web site) is Maria Shriver. Describing herself as a survivor, thriver and warrior against abuse, Lauren says, "I survived, I'm ok .. because it's always ok to tell."