Elizabeth Smart discusses her approach to teaching her three children about safety, drawing from her experience surviving one of the most widely reported kidnapping cases, in an exclusive conversation with In Touch.

“It’s challenging because I don’t want them to be fearful of the world,” explains Elizabeth, 37. “However, I also want them to understand that not everyone is trustworthy.”

Elizabeth was just 14 when she was abducted at knifepoint on June 3, 2002, from her bedroom in Utah. She was held captive by street preacher Brian David Mitchell and his spouse, Wanda Barzee. Nine months later, on March 12, 2003, Elizabeth was rescued by police in Sandy, Utah, when two individuals recognized Mitchell, 71, and Barzee, 79, from an episode of America’s Most Wanted.

Years after the traumatic incident, Elizabeth is dedicated to building a fulfilling life as she raises her three children — Chloe, 10, James, 8, and Olivia, 6— alongside her husband of 13 years, Matthew Gilmour. In their home, discussions about body autonomy, boundaries, and consent are a common topic, fostering an environment of trust and empowerment.

“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.”

Not even their loved ones. Statistically, children are more likely to be hurt by someone they know, Elizabeth notes.

“If it was someone close to you, and your daughter came to you and was like, ‘Mom, he scares me’ or ‘He gives really weird hugs,’ do you have a plan in place?” she asks parents. “Is that person welcome at your home anymore? Are you comfortable leaving your child alone with that person? These are things that are really important to talk about with your partner or spouse and your children.”

Elizabeth’s captor was not a stranger to her world—Mitchell had briefly worked as a roofer at the Smart family home for a day in 2001. She was reportedly held captive on the outskirts of Salt Lake City and in San Diego County, California. Mitchell repeatedly raped Elizabeth during her captivity at a camp in the woods and threatened to kill her if she tried to escape.

On March 18, 2003, Mitchell and his wife were charged with aggravated kidnapping, burglary and sexual assault. Years later in November 2009, Barzee pleaded guilty to assisting in Elizabeth’s kidnapping as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. She was sentenced to serve 15 years in federal prison and was given credit for seven years that she had already served. Barzee was released in 2018.

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

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.