At just 14 years old, Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her Salt Lake City home and held captive for nine months. Her rescue became one of the most high-profile child abduction cases in U.S. history. But Elizabeth turned her trauma into a lifelong mission — to protect others from sexual violence and exploitation. In 2011, she founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, embodying the motto "Bringing hope & stopping victimization."
Elizabeth testified against her captors and used her public platform to shine a spotlight on predatory crimes. The Foundation she created focuses on prevention, healing, and advocacy — with survivor-led programs that address the root causes and long-term impact of sexual violence. In 2022, the Foundation joined forces with the Malouf Foundation, uniting their efforts to confront sexual exploitation.
Among the Foundation's signature efforts: Smart Defense, a self-defense curriculum designed for women and girls; We Believe You, a cultural campaign that centers survivor voices and challenges victim-blaming; and trauma-informed education that equips communities with tools for prevention, rooted in survivor perspectives.
Elizabeth Smart's story began in Utah — where our own work began, and where rescue-equipment protection first became law. Her example proves that with courage and compassion, hope can be turned into protection for others.
Learn more at elizabethsmartfoundation.org.
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