Elizabeth Smart inspired to help others, starts self-defense program after she was assaulted on a plane
Elizabeth Smart, 32, who was kidnapped from her Utah home at 14 years old and survived months of sexual abuse, told CBS This Morning that she was recently sexually assaulted by a man on an airplane.
Smart, who was rescued in 2003, says it was faith that helped her through the horrific ordeal as a teenager. Since then, she has used her story to inspire and encourage others.
Smart, who was on a flight home to Utah last summer when the incident happened, says she was shocked by the stranger’s actions. She expected him to apologize but he didn’t.
“I mean the last time someone touched me without my say so was when I was kidnapped. And I froze,” she said. “I didn’t know what to do.”
Smart said she reported the incident to law enforcement and Delta Airlines. Delta has since confirmed that the matter is under investigation.
As triggering as it was, Smart says the incident sparked a revelation: “We’re not doing enough. I’m not doing enough.”
That’s when she came up with the idea for Smart Defense. The self-defense initiative empowers women and girls to “fight smart” in harmful situations.
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