One in three girls and one in five boys will become a victim of child sexual abuse before his or her 18th birthday. While it’s a fact that’s shocking, tragic and uncomfortable, it’s also something Lauren Book insists people need to know. A victim of sexual abuse, Lauren realized through her own process of healing that creating awareness could incite change. “It’s all about beginning that conversation,” says Lauren, “and not being afraid to talk about boundaries.”
That simple idea behind a not-so-simple topic led Lauren to found Lauren’s Kids, a nonprofit based in South Florida that educates children and adults about sexual abuse prevention through in-school curricula, awareness campaigns and speaking engagements. Currently utilized in 16,000 classrooms, Lauren’s Safer Smarter Kids program is just the start; she’s also published a book, influenced change in Florida law and even walked 500 miles with her mission in mind. Sound like a lot? Let’s just say there is a reason Lauren was selected as one of Cosmopolitan’s “Fun, Fearless Females.” Read on to see why we think that title describes this change-maker to a T.