Kidnap survivor, activist for abused children, ABC News contributor and recent bride Elizabeth Smart, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at Harford County's Annual Child Protection Awareness Symposium on April 27th, 2012 at the Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, MD. At this 8th Annual Child Protection event, Cherish the Child, Ms. Smart will speak about her experiences and promote safety legislation to help prevent abductions.
According to the Harford County Government:
Cherish the Child is Harford County's Annual Child Protection Awareness Symposium. It is designed for professionals, paraprofessionals and any community members who are interested in the protection of our children. Cherish the Child seeks to educate, inform and support those individuals who devote their time and talents to keeping children safe. Workshops are held throughout the day providing valuable information on the latest trends in child protection and treatment.
When she was 14-years old, Smart was abducted at knifepoint from her bedroom on June 5, 2002. Her abduction became one of the most followed child abduction cases in recent history. She was found nine months later on March 12, 2003, in Sandy, Utah, 18 miles from her home, in the company of Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Ileen Barzee. Elizabeth triumphantly testified before her captor and the world about the very private nightmare she suffered during her abduction, which lead to a conviction.
On October 1, 2009, Smart testified to being threatened, tied, and raped daily while she was held captive. Elizabeth has since become an advocate for change related to child abduction, recovery programs and national legislation.
Elizabeth Smart is currently involved in the “Elizabeth Smart Foundation”; and she has helped promote The National AMBER Alert, The Adam Walsh Child Protection & Safety Act and other safety legislation to help prevent abductions.
Elizabeth’s shining example and life is a daily demonstration that there really is life after a tragic event. Her speech not only tells her story, but also discusses topics such as overcoming extreme adversity and not allowing your past to dictate your life's future.
Who: Elizabeth Smart, Keynote Speaker
What: 8th Annual Child Protection event, Cherish the Child
Where: Mountain Christian Church, 1824 Mountain Road, Joppa, MD 21085
When: April 27th, 2012
Click here for additional information about registration and the Cherish the Child Symposium.
To see Elizabeth in action, see the video accompanying this article.
Also see:
- Former kidnap victim Elizabeth Smart gets married in Hawaii
- Kidnap survivor Elizabeth Smart to become ABC News commentator
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