Kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart uses her harrowing experience to help others

NEW YORK -- (WPIX) -- A survivor of a kidnapping that gripped national headlines back in 2002, Elizabeth Smart is back on "Crime Watch Daily" as a special correspondent this season.

Having told her own story of survival for years, Smart is now helping to lend a voice and a platform to other crime victims.

As an advocate for missing children and crime survivors, Smart says part of the reason she joined "Crime Watch Daily" is that she knows firsthand how the spotlight and media can play a part in helping to solve crimes.

"When I'm asked to go out and interview these other victims, and these other survivors, I just think that it's so important to share their stories, not just for their own case, but for all the other victims and survivors out there to know that they're not alone," Smart said. "That they know they can do something about it."