Mariska Hargitay Reveals Secondary Trauma from 'Law & Order: SVU'

The actress opens up about the personal impact of playing Olivia Benson and her efforts to combat real-life sexual violence.

Mariska Hargitay has starred as Olivia Benson on 'Law & Order: SVU' since 1999, making her the longest-running character in a prime-time drama.
Hargitay admits to experiencing secondary trauma due to the show's intense and true-to-life storylines about sex crimes.
Her experiences on the show inspired her to create the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004, which aims to support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.
The foundation has been instrumental in addressing the backlog of untested rape kits, aiding in solving thousands of cases and identifying serial rapists.
Hargitay reflects on her growth over the years, both personally and professionally, and emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about sexual violence.