Mariska's Own SVU Heartache
Globe|October 21, 2019
Devastated TV cop helps real-life victims.
Mariska's Own SVU Heartache

TV COP Mariska Hargitay has been a crusader for victims of real-life sexual abuse, inspired by the horrific dramas of torture and torment played out on her show, Law & Order: SVU.

When she joined the show in 1999, she researched the role of Det. Olivia Benson by training to become a rape crisis counselor — and sources say she’s haunted by victims’ reallife stories.

Since then, the 55-year-old actress has met with dozens of women who have been through brutal cases of sexual assault, which drove her to launch the Joyful Heart Foundation for survivors in 2004.

This story is from the October 21, 2019 edition of Globe.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 21, 2019 edition of Globe.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.