Elizabeth Smart Alleges She Was Sexually Assaulted on a Plane Last Year

Elizabeth Smart, the woman whose story became famous when she was kidnapped and repeatedly raped in 2002 at 14 years old, is opening up about a recent experience she had last summer.

Speaking with Gayle King on CBS This Morning, Elizabeth claims she was asleep on a Delta flight when the man seated next to her began touching her.

“I felt someone’s hand rubbing in between my legs, on my inner thigh,” she said. “I was shocked. The last time someone touched me without my say-so was when I was kidnapped.”

“I froze,” she said. “I did not know what to do,” adding that after she was rescued from her kidnappers years ago, she has “never been worried. I’ve never been threatened — until now.”

Furthermore, Elizabeth said the man didn’t apologize or acknowledge the assault, but she did report it to Delta.

“I don’t want him preying on other girls,” she said, adding that Delta was “appalled and they offered to help as much as they could.”

Delta released a statement to CBS This Morning that read: “Delta took the matter seriously and has continued to cooperate with Ms. Smart and the appropriate authorities as the matter is investigated. Delta does not tolerate misconduct towards other customers or Delta people.”

It takes a lot to come out with a story like this. Thank you, Elizabeth.