Kidnapping victim's father fights for stricter sex-crime laws

March 31. 2006 6:59AM

Elizabeth Smart's parent appears with Indiana lawmaker.MARTIN DeAGOSTINOTribune Staff WriterINDIANAPOLIS -- The father of teenage kidnap victim Elizabeth Smart called for tougher sex-crime laws and more family education about the dangers posed by sex offenders.Ed Smart, of Salt Lake City, said few people believe their loved ones will be victimized, despite its frequency."The thing that people have to realize is, this can happen to you," Smart said. "I don't care where you are, (and) I'm not trying to be an alarmist, but an abduction can happen."

Smart spoke at a news conference with state Sen. Jeff Drozda, R-Westfield, who outlined proposed sex-offender legislation for the 2007 legislative session.Drozda would increase the penalties and require mandatory prison time for several sex crimes, including child solicitation, child exploitation and possession of child pornography. He also would require first-time child pornography offenders to register as sex offenders, a change from current law that does not require registry until a second offense.Smart acknowledged he knows little about Indiana laws, but he said strict laws are a necessary ingredient to fight sex crimes."I hear time and time again, stories about sex offenders that are out there that somehow escape underneath the wire and they're not listed on the sex offender registry," he said. "And it is criminal, because the next victim is going to be the one that may be making headlines."Smart's 14-year-old daughter made headlines when she was kidnapped from the family's Utah home in June 2002. She was found nine months later within a few miles of her home, wearing a disguise and in the company of two homeless people.Utah prosecutors charged Brian David Mitchell with kidnapping and sexual assault, but a court later found him incompetent to stand trial. Mitchell, who regarded himself as a religious prophet of sorts, was said to have viewed his victim as a bride. Smart said Thursday that his "incredibly blessed" family is moving forward from their tragedy and that Elizabeth, now 18, will start college this fall."She is one very strong young woman," he said, "and I thank all the people who prayed for us and tried to support us."Smart, 50, said he now works full time promoting public awareness of sex offenders and proactive education for children who might encounter them. His Indiana trip involved Family Watchdog, a Carmel, Ind., group with a similar agenda.He praised the organization's work in publicizing sex offenders' locations, which is done through a Web site at http://www.familywatchdog.us/. The Web site also includes an online quiz that tests children's knowledge of personal safety."People really do care," Smart said, "and it's when we care that we are able to make changes."