Drugged, abducted, forced to watch porn and raped at 14, this girl has something to tell us

Elizabeth Smart's advice to parents makes a lot of sense. Photo Courtesy: YouTube

What happened in the June of 2002 changed the then 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart's life forever. The innocent teenager was abducted from the bedroom she shared with her nine-year-old sister Mary Katherine in Salt Lake City, Utah by Brian David Mitchell, who thought himself to be a prophet and his wife Wanda Barzee.

Thereafter, Elizabeth was raped, drugged, forced to drink alcohol and watch pornography by her kidnappers, who even tried to indoctrinate her with their religious beliefs.

Thankfully, Mitchell was recognized while walking down the street with a young girl wearing a wig and sunglasses and reported to the police by a passerby. Elizabeth was found less than 24 hours later and the kidnappers, who're now serving jail time (Mitchell is serving a life sentence and his wife a 15-year long sentence for aggravated kidnapping) were arrested.

Elizabeth during childhood. Photo: Reuters

 Now that 15 years have passed since that horrific incident, Elizabeth opened up about it during the Ask Me Anything question and answer session on Reddit.

Kidnapper Brian David Mitchell. Photo: Reuters

She described her experience saying, "There were lots of times I thought, this is it I'm going to die, whether if it was directly at the hands of my captors, or through consequences of their actions."

"It was hard to believe it was over until I was in my dad's arms being hugged at the police station," she added.

Mitchell's wife Wanda Barzee. Photo: Reuters

However, the highlight of the session was one practical question that really made a lot of sense.

"In your opinion as a children's advocate, what are some practical, commonsense steps parents can take to help their children avoid abuse? And I guess I mean abuse in a general way, anything from extreme bullying to abduction," she was asked.

Having been a survivor of abuse herself, Elizabeth listed three clear points. She said:

1. Make sure your child knows that they are loved unconditionally, and make sure your child knows what unconditionally means.

2. Make sure that your child understands that no one has the right to hurt them or scare them in any way. It doesn't matter what that person may be: family, friend, religious leader, community leader, it doesn't matter.

3. Should anyone hurt your child or threaten them in anyway, they need to tell you.

She even suggested parents to "practice screaming" with their children and urged them to encourage their kids to fight back.

We don't only appreciate her endeavor, but also feel that her suggestions are quite right and that every parent needs to take them seriously in order to protect their child. More power to her and those who stand up against such hideous acts.