I survived a nine-month kidnapping after being kidnapped when I was 14 – the biggest red flags to watch out for

A KIDNAPPING victim who survived a nine-month kidnapping has warned of a number of red flags friends and family should be aware of.

Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped from her home in Salt Lake City, Utah in June 2002 at the age of 14 by Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee.

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She was found alive and rescued nine months later in the suburb of Sandy – which is about 30 miles from her home.

Smart has since uncovered a number of red flags that family and friends should look out for when a person is in danger.

She told Fox News Digital that a potential red flag is when they try to sever “important relationships.”

Smart said: “That’s a red flag for human trafficking when meaningful relationships are severed and a person becomes isolated.

“I would say that’s just a red flag for everything.”

Smart also urged people to trust their instincts and not take chances when it comes to safety.

She explained: “If it’s a party, there will be another party. If it’s a date and you don’t feel safe, don’t worry about offending your date.”

The child safety activist called on people to make plans before meeting a stranger.

She urged: “Think about what you would do in different scenarios. Talk to your family about it. Talk to your friends about it.”

Smart was kidnapped from her bed with a knife more than 20 years ago.

She testified in court about how she was drugged, tied to a tree and sexually assaulted.

Smart was rescued in March 2003 after two witnesses recognized Mitchell and Barzee.

Mitchell was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2011. Barzee was released in September 2018.

Smart revealed in an Instagram post in 2020 that she had not spoken to her parents to explain the full extent of the abuse she had endured.

Parents Ed and Lois heard the chilling details for the first time in court.

Smart said: “The truth is I’ve never sat them all down and had a ‘tell all’ experience with them.

“Honestly, when I got home I didn’t want anyone to know what happened, I was embarrassed and ashamed.”

Smart has dedicated her life to fighting child abduction and sexual violence.

She co-authored a 2013 memoir called My Story, which recounted her experiences in captivity.

The activist later published another book in 2018 called Where There’s Hope: Healing, Moving Forward and Never Giving Up.

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