Elizabeth Smart is using her traumatic kidnapping experience to empower other women, she tells In Touch in an exclusive interview.

“That is a huge part of my life, and it’s very, very important,” says Elizabeth, 37. “But it’s not all of my life.”

At just 14 years old, Elizabeth was abducted from her Utah bedroom by knife-wielding street preacher Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, on June 3, 2002. She was eventually found nine months later, having been held captive near Salt Lake City and in San Diego County, California.

In the aftermath of her ordeal, Elizabeth now utilizes her platform to address critical issues such as human trafficking and consent. She also established the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which aims to foster “hope, empowerment, and change in the fight against sexual violence.”

“My family is my most important work and always will be,” the mother of three shares with In Touch. “However, outside of my family, I am strongly passionate about empowering women and victims and survivors.”

Their Smart Defense program not only teaches women how to fight back using techniques from Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai, but also about situational awareness and mental coping skills, while men are taught how to safely intervene and be allies. The course emphasizes that even if someone is victimized, says Elizabeth, “it is never their fault.”

“Think about the safety education you’ve learned in your life. Everyone knows to look both ways before crossing the street, and if you catch on fire, stop, drop and roll,” she points out. “But did anyone ever talk to you about what you should do if someone tries to rape you? Or about the difference between enthusiastic, consensual sex versus rape and violence? There is a very big education gap.”

In addition, Elizabeth serves as a resource for other victims of serious crimes, often sharing tips on supporting those who have experienced trauma.

“I would No. 1 start by believing them. No. 2, do not ask them questions that begin with the words, ‘Why didn’t you?’” she says. “Because no matter how innocently that question was asked, the victim or survivor is going to hear, ‘You should have … ‘ Also, it’s not your job to find out all the details. Leave that to the experts. And then finally, this is really big, heavy things.”

Instead of rushing to victims with apologetic messages, Elizabeth says it’s “OK” to admit that you don’t know how to help and instead just be there for the victim. Your reaction can make a huge difference “in the trajectory that their path is then set on,” she explains.

“If there are immediately believed and embraced and you’re like, ‘I am here for you and I hear you and I love you, I’m not going to disappear,’ that can bolster them up,” Elizabeth tells readers. “Whereas if we just turn around like, ‘Are you sure? Who was it? You’re telling me that this person did that to you? I know that person. They would never do that. Are you sure you’re just remembering it wrong? Are you sure that’s how that was meant? Well, why don’t you scream? Why didn’t you fight? Why didn’t you say something sooner?’ That kind of response can be hugely damaging.”

This can lead to victims internalizing their trauma, according to Elizabeth. “And make some be like, ‘Well, my best friend didn’t believe me.’ Or ‘My mom didn’t believe me. Why would the police believe me? Why would anyone else believe me? I guess I’m just gonna never speak about it ever again. And I’m just gonna pretend like it never happened. And bottle it up inside until it explodes later on in my life,’” she explains.

“I think it’s perfectly fine to, you know, if someone discloses to you, be like, ‘Hey, I just want you to know I’m here for you. And I’ve never been in this situation before, so I don’t always know the right way to act,” she adds. “But I’m here if you want to talk about it. I’ll talk about it with you. If you need help with something, please tell me, because I may not naturally know what to do.’ I think it’s OK just being open that you don’t know how to respond, but you want to be there for them.”

During her captivity, Elizabeth was repeatedly raped by Mitchell — a man who had briefly worked as a roofer at the Smart family home for a day in 2001 – at a camp in the woods and threatened to kill her if she tried to escape.

On March 18, 2003, Mitchell, 71, and his wife, 79, faced charges of aggravated kidnapping, burglary, and sexual assault. Years later, in November 2009, Barzee admitted to aiding in Elizabeth’s abduction as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. She received a 15-year federal prison sentence, with credit for the seven years she had already served. Barzee was released in 2018.

As for Mitchell, he was convicted of kidnapping and sexual assault in May 2011 and sentenced to two life terms in federal prison.

Following the incident, Elizabeth has built a happy and fulfilling life with her husband of 13 years, Matthew Gilmour, as they raise their three children — Chloe, 10, James, 8, and Olivia, 6. Within their home, conversations about body autonomy, boundaries, and consent are common topics as she makes sure they are prepared to handle scary situations.

“I’m always talking to them about how there is nothing wrong or bad or ugly about your body,” she explains, “and nobody has the right to touch it.”

If you or anyone you know has been sexually abused, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A trained staff member will provide confidential, judgment-free support as well as local resources to assist in healing, recovering and more.