Ed Smart will speak on child safety at McEachern High School on October 2 at 7 p.m. during an event sponsored by Protect Georgia Families.

His daughter, Elizabeth Smart, was kidnapped on June 5, 2002, at the age of 14 and held for nine months by Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee. She was kept in a tent and raped frequently. She is now an author, activist, and started the Elizabeth Smart Foundation.

The owner of a real estate and mortgage company in Salt Lake City, Ed Smart has actively lobbied Congress for a national Amber Alert system, worked with families of missing children, and been involved with radKIDS, a child safety organization. He and wife Lois published a book about their daughter’s kidnapping called “Bringing Elizabeth Home: A Journey of Faith & Hope.”

The free forum “will help to educate and empower families in our community against pornography, bullying, trafficking, abduction, abuse, exploitation, and sexual assault.” There will be tips for parents and discussion of grooming and recovery. It is recommended for ages 12 and up with an accompanying adult.

R&B singer Jay Warren will also perform.

Barzee is expected to be released Wednesday, an unexpected development after officials announced they miscalculated her sentence. Mitchell was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

When: October 2, 7-9 p.m.

Where: McEachern High School, 2400 New MacLand Road, Powder Springs

Cost: Free, ages 12 and up