Mariska Hargitay Shares Emotional Account of Being Raped by a Friend

"Law and Order: SVU" actor Mariska Hargitay has revealed in an emotional essay that she was raped by a former male friend in her 30s, expressing her hope to encourage fellow survivors to speak out and receive support without shame. Hargitay, who founded the Joyful Heart Foundation for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, emphasized the need for acknowledgment and apology from her assailant, and reflected on her past efforts to minimize the trauma she experienced.