Hope for Survivors. Empowerment for All.

We seek to bring hope, empowerment, and change in the fight against sexual violence.

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Book cover featuring a woman with blonde hair wearing a white outfit, standing against a light gray wall. The title reads 'Detours' by Elizabeth Smart, with the quote 'Hope & growth after life's hardest turns' on the left side.

Detours: HOPE & GROWTH AFTER LIFE’S HARDEST TURNS

Elizabeth’s New Book:

In this powerful memoir of survival and healing, Elizabeth Smart empowers readers to navigate life’s detours, embrace resilience, and find healing and purpose after adversity.

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Group photo of seven women, four standing and three sitting, in front of a plain gray background with a white logo featuring a bird and the text 'Elizabeth Smart Foundation'.

About Us

Leaders of Compassion and Commitment

We’re a women and survivor-led organization building a more compassionate society to end sexual violence. Together with advocate Elizabeth Smart—whose abduction and assault garnered national attention in 2002—we drive crucial conversations and work to shift societal perceptions for lasting change.

A family of three hugging outdoors, with blue and yellow balloons in the background.

Elizabeth’s Story

The abduction of Elizabeth Smart was one of the most followed child abduction cases in history. Elizabeth was kidnapped on June 5, 2002 and endured daily sexual assault and abuse for nine months. Elizabeth returned home on March 12, 2003 and went on to testify before her captors, which led to their convictions. Elizabeth is now a leading voice in the fight against sexual violence. She founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation in 2011.  

Our Programs

  • A group of women sitting in a circle watching a woman in a black shirt demonstrating a physical training exercise on a gym floor.

    Smart Defense

    1,500+ participants with 97% satisfaction rate 

    Smart Defense is a holistic self-defense program that emphasizes the education surrounding sexual violence prevention—in addition to the martial arts techniques used for defense and escape.

    Sign Up
  • Two women sitting on a couch, engaged in a conversation, with a microphone in front of them, in a room with a sign that reads 'SMART Talks' on the wall behind them.

    Smart Talks

    70+ episodes with 220K episode downloads

    The Smart Talks podcast features Elizabeth Smart as she speaks with individuals making a difference in the field of anti-sexual violence—focusing on stories of empowerment, recovery, and hope.

    Listen Now
  • Three young women smiling and standing outside in front of a brick wall, wearing T-shirts with the phrase 'We Believe You.'

    We Believe You

    Over 700,000 people reached on social media

    We Believe You Survivor Stories recognizes the power of storytelling in healing and advocacy, providing survivors with a platform to reclaim their voices and share their experiences on their own terms.

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  • A smiling woman hugging a young girl, with a boy in the background, in a cozy home setting.

    Survivor Support Fund

    Support the Elizabeth Smart Foundation

    The Survivor Support Fund offers direct financial assistance to adult survivors of sexual violence across the U.S. Covering needs like therapy, legal support, education, housing, and more, the fund helps survivors heal, rebuild, and move forward with dignity. Every application is reviewed with care and a trauma-informed lens.

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  • A woman with long blonde hair speaking into a microphone at a podium during a conference or event, with the word 'NOISE' visible on the background wall.

    Awareness

    Awareness drives prevention.

    Through education, advocacy, and storytelling, the Awareness program empowers individuals and communities to recognize, prevent, and respond to sexual violence. By fostering open dialogue and promoting prevention strategies, we aim to create a culture of safety, support, and lasting change.

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