Kidnapped at knifepoint from her bedroom in the middle of the night, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was held captive for over nine months by a drifter and his female companion. When police finally found her and the details of her captivity were widely publicized, some observers publicly questioned why the girl never tried to escape or get the attention of the police. Such responses illustrate an attributional pattern called:

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Blaming the victim involves attributing responsibility or fault to the person who has been harmed, rather than to the perpetrator of the harm. In cases of sexual assault or kidnapping, for example, victims may be unfairly criticized for their behavior or actions leading up to the event. Elizabeth Smart's captivity is a clear example of blaming the victim, as some observers suggested that she should have tried harder to escape or call for help, without taking into account the power dynamic between her and her captors.

Kidnapped at Knifepoint from Her Bedroom in the Middle of the Night