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Elizabeth Smart            

Abduction Survivor, News Correspondent & Child Safety Activist

The abduction of Elizabeth Smart was one of the most followed child abduction cases of our time. Smart was abducted on June 5, 2002, and her captors controlled her by threatening to kill her and her family if she tried to escape. Fortunately, the police safely returned Smart back to her family on March 12, 2003, after being held a prisoner for 9 grueling months. Through this traumatic experience, Smart has become an advocate for change related to child abduction, recovery programs, and National legislation.

Smart triumphantly testified before her captor and the world about the very private nightmare she suffered during her abduction, which led to conviction. The Founder of the “Elizabeth Smart Foundation”, Smart has also helped promote The National AMBER Alert, The Adam Walsh Child Protection & Safety Act and other safety legislation to help prevent abductions.

Smart has chronicled her experiences in the New York Times best-selling book, "My Story." In addition, she and other abduction survivors worked with the Department of Justice to create a survivor's guide, entitled, “You're Not Alone: The Journey From Abduction to Empowerment.” This guide is meant to encourage children who have gone through similar experiences not to give up but to know that there is hope for a rewarding life. Smart has recently released a new powerful and inspiring book about what it takes to overcome trauma, find the strength to move on, and reclaim one’s life. "Where There’s Hope" is the result of Smart's mission: It is both an up-close-and-personal glimpse into her healing process and a heartfelt how-to guide for readers to make peace with the past and embrace the future.

Smart's abduction and recovery continue to motivate parents, law enforcement and leaders worldwide to focus on children’s safety. She emphasizes vigilance by "everyday" people and the belief that hope always exists to find every missing child. Smart attended Brigham Young University, studying music as a harp performance major. She married her husband Matthew in 2012, and they now have three beautiful children. Smart's example is a daily demonstration that there really is life after tragedy.

Speech Topics


Overcoming Adversity: The Elizabeth Smart Story

The abduction of Elizabeth Smart was one of the most followed child abduction cases of our time. At the tender age of 14, just before celebrating her middle school graduation, Elizabeth went to sleep in her family home just as she had always done. Awakened hours later to a knife held roughly against her throat, she was taken from her home and family and held captive for nine long months. In this captivating message, Elizabeth shares her incredible story of perseverance in the face of unimaginable adversity. Her speech not only tells her personal story, but also discusses topics such as overcoming extreme adversity, the importance and process of recovery, and not allowing your past to dictate your life's future. Elizabeth knows that there is nothing more important than having hope in a difficult situation. Having lived through an extreme circumstance as a young teenager, Elizabeth gives great insight and hope to all.

News


Elizabeth Smart advocates against pornography
Smart says pornography made her nine-month captivity worse.
Elizabeth Smart is keynote speaker at Sexual Assault Services event ...
Elizabeth Smart, author of My Story, the tale of her abduction and captivity, is the keynote speaker at this year's Sexual Assault Services event. (Photo courtesy ...
For Her First Story as a TV Correspondent Elizabeth Smart Covered ...
Fox TV show Crime Watch Daily welcomed new correspondent Elizabeth Smart to the team this week. For her first episode with the show she explored the ...
Elizabeth Smart, victim no more, delivers message of faith - Orlando ...
Teenage kidnap victim, Elizabeth Smart, now grown up, delivered a message of hope and faith at the Central Florida YMCA annual Celebration of Prayer.

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