Kidnapped Twice, Sexually Assaulted 200 Times, Survivor Turns Activist

American actress Jan Broberg and her shocking, yet inspiring tale.

Pranshu "Maverick" Dwivedi
8 min readDec 9, 2020
From L to R: Mary Ann, Jan, Susan, Karen (back), and Bob Broberg | Source: Netflix Documentary

The case of Jan Broberg is a chilling one, and yet a story of tremendous courage after a shockingly disturbing childhood that involved two kidnappings at the age of twelve and fourteen.

The incidents were later detailed in a book titled Stolen Innocence: The Jan Broberg Story, by her mother Mary Ann Broberg. The story was also converted into a Netflix documentary, Abducted in Plain Sight, that premiered in 2019.

The mother-daughter duo became vocal advocates to raise awareness about sexual assault. Jan is still an activist for survivors of sexual assault, owing to her own torturous journey.

The Childhood and the Backdrop of the Chilling Crime

Jan Broberg was born on July 31, 1962 in Pocatello, Idaho to Robert (Bob) and Mary Ann Broberg. She was the first child, and she was followed by two younger sisters, Karen and Susan.

The Brobergs were a happy and close-knit family, were God-fearing members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bob Broberg worked as a florist while Mary Ann was a housewife.

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Pranshu "Maverick" Dwivedi

Stay-at-home-dad who "retired" from a 12-year career in finance at the age of 35. Curious thinker with an opinion on nearly everything and is here to share it.