Mariska Hargitay reflects on overcoming trauma, revealing personal experience of sexual assault in her 30s in a powerful essay

In a deeply personal essay, Mariska Hargitay, renowned for her role in “Law & Order: SVU,” bravely shared her experience of sexual assault, highlighting her journey of resilience and advocacy. Decades after the traumatic incident, the actress and founder of the Joyful Heart Foundation revealed her determination not to let the assault define her.

Opening her heartfelt essay for People magazine, Hargitay disclosed, “A man raped me in my thirties.” She emphasized that the assault wasn’t about sexuality but rather an act of dominance and overpowering control. The assailant, described as a friend, subjected Hargitay to an ordeal that left her in a state of trauma-induced freeze mode, where escape was not an option, and she emotionally detached from her body.

Despite the gravity of the experience, Hargitay initially coped privately, choosing advocacy as her silent response. Her commitment to championing victims of sexual violence and establishing the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004 became her way of making a difference. Alongside her public work, she employed a strategy of compartmentalization, temporarily pushing the trauma aside to survive.

In her essay, Hargitay acknowledged the importance of understanding the neurobiology of trauma. She highlighted the lasting impact of trauma on the mind and memory, emphasizing that her experience wasn’t a simple case of an unwanted advance but a unilateral decision made by someone she considered a friend. This distinction led her to champion the discussion of acquaintance rape, challenging misconceptions about sexual assault.

Despite the painful nature of her story, Hargitay asserted that it doesn’t come close to defining her. By sharing her journey, she aimed to empower others who have faced sexual violence to break the silence and speak their truth. This courage to share her own vulnerability echoes the strength and resilience portrayed by her iconic character, Olivia Benson, over 25 years on “SVU.”

Hargitay expressed gratitude for the sexual assault survivors who have found strength and inspiration through her portrayal of Olivia Benson. These individuals, who have faced darkness and cruelty, have become a source of strength for the actress. Acknowledging their journeys, she described the honor of being a significant part of their lives.

In the concluding remarks of her essay, Hargitay conveyed gratitude for her current place in life, emphasizing that she is still proudly in the process of healing. Flooded with compassion for all survivors who have endured suffering, she stands renewed, emphasizing the importance of resilience, empathy, and solidarity in the face of trauma.