Elizabeth Smart appears in the Netflix documentary Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart to recount her nine-month abduction at age 14 and the sexual violence she endured. She says feelings of shame and isolation after her rescue compelled her to share her story to help other survivors feel less alone. The film features family members, investigators and witnesses and aims to deepen public understanding of the survival choices victims make. Smart continues to advocate for survivor support through the Elizabeth Smart Foundation.
Why Elizabeth Smart Chose to Share Her Ordeal in Netflix’s 'Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart'
Courtesy Elizabeth Smart;Chloe AftelElizabeth Smart PEOPLE cover Jan. 26, 2026
Trigger warning: This article discusses sexual assault and abduction.
Kevin Lee / Sipa PressMissing poster for Elizabeth Smart in 2002
Elizabeth Smart, who was abducted at age 14 and held captive for nine months, appears in the Netflix documentary Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, which premiered Jan. 21. In the film she speaks candidly about the abuse she endured, the isolation she felt after her rescue and the reasons she decided to share her story publicly.
Elizabeth Maurer/ZUMA PressElizabeth Smart, wearing a veil and head covering, was brought to a party in Salt Lake City by her captor just two months after she was kidnapped
Why She Spoke Out
Smart, now 38, says that in the years after her rescue she felt overwhelmed by shame and alone because she saw few people discussing similar experiences. Hearing repeatedly from other survivors who described comparable feelings of isolation and not being believed motivated her to speak up. "I want survivors to know it's not their fault," she says, explaining that one of her goals is to reduce stigma and encourage survivors to seek support.
Chloe AftelElizabeth Smart
What the Documentary Covers
The film combines Smart's first-person account with interviews from family members—including her father, Ed Smart, and her younger sister, Mary Katherine Smart—law enforcement officials and witnesses connected to the case. Smart chose to be as forthright as possible, including describing the sexual assaults and the strategies she used to survive, because she wanted viewers who have never experienced such crimes to understand the depth of fear and the survival mindset that can shape a victim's choices.
Douglas C. Pizac/GettyElizabeth Smart speaks to the media outside federal court after a jury convicted Brian David Mitchell of kidnapping her on December 10, 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Facts of the Case
On June 5, 2002, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was taken from her bedroom by Brian David Mitchell, then 48, with the assistance of his then-wife, Wanda Barzee. Over the following nine months she was repeatedly assaulted and held in harsh, humiliating conditions. Smart has said she was raped as many as four times a day. She was rescued on March 12, 2003, after a viewer of America’s Most Wanted recognized a sketch of Mitchell and reported seeing Smart in public, prompting authorities to act.
Chloe AftelElizabeth Smart on Jan. 7, 2026
Ongoing Advocacy
Smart founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation and has become a prominent advocate for survivors of sexual violence. In the documentary she stresses the urgent need for services and support: victims need access to resources, compassionate care and legal protections. "There are just so many victims in need of support, in need of services," she says, committing to continue her work on their behalf.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit rainn.org for resources and support.
Help us improve.
