Mariska Hargitay Says She Has “Secondary Trauma” From Law & Order: SVU

Mariska Hargitay Says She Has "Secondary Trauma" From Law & Order: SVU

As a dedicated fan and admirer of Mariska Hargitay, her journey and commitment to justice through her role as Olivia Benson in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is nothing short of inspiring. Her ability to tackle heavy subject matter with such grace and dedication, while also using her platform to create positive change, is truly remarkable.


Seeking justice is no small task—just ask Mariska Hargitay.

As a connoisseur of lifestyle and wellness, I’ve found myself reflecting on the profound impact of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” a series that returns for its 26th season on October 3rd. The weighty themes this show explores can linger long after the credits roll, making it challenging to leave work at the office.

Hargitay shared with Selena Gomez during a recent interview for Interview magazine (published September 23) that getting involved with the show has been a profound journey. Initially, she didn’t realize how much it would impact her personally. Her husband Peter often jokes that whenever she goes somewhere, her first concern is the crime rate in the area – demonstrating just how deeply ingrained the theme of the show has become for her.

The long-time actor who plays Olivia Benson (the character with the longest-running live-action role in primetime TV history, having won an Emmy) admitted that portraying stories about crimes like sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence can be emotionally draining.

At times, I found myself unsure of how to shield myself, and I believe I experienced secondary trauma due to being overwhelmed with these stories, knowing they were real. The difficult aspects for me were those I didn’t know how to cope with, simply because of the enormous amount of information coming my way.

However, at the age of 60, she found herself deeply moved by the impactful role she played. This led her to establish the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004, as a way to respond to the issue, saying to herself, “At least I’m taking action.

She went on to say, “I discovered that approximately 33% of women and 16% of men experience assault. Upon learning this, I felt compelled to act because the show was addressing the issue, but when I saw the statistics, I wondered why it wasn’t being discussed more widely. If I didn’t know, I assumed others were unaware as well that violence against women constitutes an epidemic.

Mariska Hargitay Says She Has "Secondary Trauma" From Law & Order: SVU

Although the show’s heavy topic often proves challenging, Hargitay expressed gratitude for the opportunity it provides her to make a positive impact.

The actress expressed that she was well aware of Dick Wolf’s remarkable career history and his intelligence and consideration towards his audience. However, her experiences on the show have far exceeded her wildest expectations, both professionally and personally. This opportunity allows her to combine her acting talent with her philanthropic endeavors, contributing significantly to people’s healing. This thought often crosses her mind.

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2024-09-25 03:47