Mariska Hargitay recently disclosed her survival of a sexual assault, a revelation that has been commended by various victim advocacy organizations, and rightly so.
The actress penned a poignant article for People this week, detailing her experience of what she described as a rape perpetrated by someone she considered a friend at the age of 30. Although she did not specify when it occurred, the memories remain vivid.
She expressed, “I tried in every way I could to get out of there. I tried to be humorous, be charming, set a boundary, reason, say no. He grabbed me by the arms and held me. I was terrified. I didn’t want it to get to violence. I now know it was already sexual violence, but I feared it would turn physically violent. I went into freeze mode, a typical traumatic response when there’s no option to escape. I left my body.”
Following the incident, Mariska admits to having erased this episode from her narrative and attempted to forget it, although this issue remains significantly important to her… evidenced by her founding of the Joyful Heart Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding sexual assault survivors.
Of course, there’s also the fact that she has been portraying Olivia Benson on ‘Law & Order: SVU’ for years, and her character is consistently striving to apprehend perpetrators of such nature.
Mariska has been lauded for sharing her experience, and several advocacy groups in this space want to chime in, including the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, the National Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, and the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
Representatives of the 4 organizations tell TMZ that Mariska continues to strip away the stigma from victims who feel afraid or ashamed to come forward and speak their truth.
Scott Berkowitz of RAINN states, “Mariska Hargitay has done so much for sexual violence survivors through her career and her foundation. Sharing her personal story now is another brave and important act, and we support her and all survivors taking this step.”
All groups convey the same message that Mariska’s account resonates with the collective suffering of victims and that speaking out encourages others to do the same. When someone of her prominence speaks, it helps pave the way.
In Mariska’s own words, “The experience was horrific. But by no means does it define me, just as no other part of my story defines me. No part of anyone’s story defines them.” Well said.
**FAQ**
**1. Who is Mariska Hargitay?**
Mariska Hargitay is an actress widely known for her role as Olivia Benson on the television series ‘Law & Order: SVU.’ She is also the founder of the Joyful Heart Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding sexual assault survivors.
**2. Why is Mariska Hargitay being praised by advocacy groups?**
Mariska Hargitay has shared her personal experience of surviving a sexual assault, which has garnered praise from various victim advocacy organizations for breaking the stigma surrounding such incidents.
**3. What impact has Mariska Hargitay’s disclosure had on other survivors?**
Her willingness to speak out encourages other survivors to share their own experiences and helps in destigmatizing the fear or shame associated with coming forward.
**Conclusion**
Mariska Hargitay’s courageous decision to share her personal story of sexual assault has resonated with numerous advocacy groups and fellow survivors. By speaking out, she has not only empowered others to do the same but has also played a pivotal role in raising awareness and removing the stigma surrounding sexual violence. Her actions serve as a testament to the strength and resilience of survivors, encouraging them to reclaim their narratives and redefine their own stories.