Few fans can imagine “Law & Order: SVU” without the incredible Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson. Over the years, viewers have grown alongside the series, which has become a powerful platform for telling the stories of survivors.
In a recent cover story for People’s Women Changing the World Issue, Hargitay shared how the show transformed her life and how she’s making a difference in the world because of it.
Mariska Hargitay: A Champion for Survivors On and Off-Screen
Hargitay’s character, Olivia Benson, tirelessly fights for the rights of survivors on-screen, but her advocacy extends far beyond the TV set. Over the years, Hargitay has received countless letters from viewers sharing their personal experiences.
“So many of them said, ‘I’ve never told anyone this before,’” Hargitay told People. “Having the character, Olivia Benson, listen — that was so powerful. People used to call me the accidental activist. I didn’t take this job on SVU to do this work. But I think I was meant to do this.”
Founding the Joyful Heart Foundation
Though some may call her an “accidental activist,” Hargitay’s dedication to helping survivors is anything but accidental. She trained to become a rape crisis counselor and, in 2004, founded the Joyful Heart Foundation to support survivors. But her efforts didn’t stop there.
‘I Am Evidence’
Hargitay is a producer of “I Am Evidence,” an HBO documentary that tells the stories of four sexual assault survivors and highlights the alarming backlog of untested rape kits in the United States. Her foundation partnered with the campaign to bring this issue to light.
Hargitay first learned about the staggering number of untested rape kits in 2009 and was determined to address the problem. “I couldn’t believe that this could happen,” Hargitay explained. “This is a crystal-clear microcosm of what is wrong with our society.”
She began collaborating with Michigan prosecutor Kym Worthy to make a real difference. “I met Kym and said, ‘Listen to me, I’m your soldier. You tell me what you need. How can we do this?’” Hargitay recalled. “And we just joined forces.”
A Tireless Advocate
Hargitay isn’t just a successful actress who talks about issues; she dedicates enormous amounts of time and effort to the cause. She has even testified before Congress twice about the backlog of rape kits.
“That’s all these women need is to be believed,” Hargitay said. “They need to be respected and seen and heard, and have somebody go, ‘I’m so sorry.’ And that person needs to be held accountable.”
Mariska Hargitay uses her celebrity for good, making positive changes in the world. Her work on “SVU” has given her life an even deeper meaning, driving her to advocate tirelessly for survivors and bring attention to crucial issues.