Mariska Hargitay Opens Up About Secondary Trauma from 'Law & Order: SVU'

After 25 years of portraying Olivia Benson, Hargitay reflects on the personal impact and her efforts to support survivors through the Joyful Heart Foundation.

• Mariska Hargitay has starred in 'Law & Order: SVU' for over 550 episodes since its premiere in 1999.
• Hargitay admits to experiencing secondary trauma from the show's harrowing storylines about sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.
• Her role inspired her to found the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004 to support survivors and address issues of violence and abuse.
• Hargitay has become a certified rape crisis counselor and has launched initiatives like End the Backlog to reduce untested rape kits.
• She stresses the importance of raising awareness about violence against women and has found personal fulfillment in combining her acting with her philanthropic mission.

3 Articles

Deadline SheKnows IndieWire