Mariska Hargitay, renowned for her role in Law and Order: SVU, recently shared a deeply personal account of her experience with sexual assault in an essay published by People. At 60 years old, the actor bravely disclosed the trauma she endured for an extended period following an assault by a former male friend when she was in her 30s. Hargitay described her attempts to establish boundaries with the individual before the assault occurred, recounting how she entered a state of freeze when the incident unfolded. Notably, she emphasized that the assault had a dominating rather than a purely sexual nature.
Struggling to come to terms with the incident, Hargitay initially chose to suppress and forget about it as a means of avoiding the painful reality. In 2004, she took a significant step by founding the Joyful Heart Foundation, dedicated to supporting other victims of similar crimes. The essay highlighted how her portrayal of Detective Olivia Benson on screen helped her connect with real-life victims and underscored her ongoing efforts to raise awareness about sexual assaults.
Hargitay reflected on her initial denial of being a survivor of sexual assault, acknowledging it as a coping mechanism that allowed her to minimize the impact of the traumatic experience. She expressed empathy for herself during those challenging times and recognized the necessity of her coping strategy in helping her survive. The Golden Globe Award winner expressed hope that her essay would inspire other survivors to speak out against assaults, fostering a societal shift toward open conversations about sexual assault akin to discussions about cancer. In sharing her story, Hargitay aims to contribute to breaking the silence surrounding sexual assault and fostering a more supportive and understanding society.