Mariska Hargitay, an actress of the popular television show "Law & Order: SVU," has participated in a public service announcement (PSA) to fight domestic violence, according to Headlines 7 Global News.
Hargitay will be directing the new PSA, which will aim to increase awareness of sexual assault and domestic violence, according to United Press International. The PSAs will be produced on behalf of the "No More" campaign, which is partially funded by Hargitay's own non-profit organization, the Joyful Heart Foundation. They will feature celebrities including Courtney Cox, Amy Poehler, Debra Messing, Tate Donovan, Ice-T and Dann Florek.
"This is an epidemic that is afflicting our society and I believe that it is an epidemic we can change," Hargitay said. "For the first time in history, the domestic violence and the sexual assault movements, the two communities, are coming together with this symbol."
The campaign conducted a study that found that 60 percent of Americans know a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence. As a result of the study, the PSAs are focusing on encouraging bystanders to help victims of abuse.
"It's to this movement what the pink ribbon was to breast cancer, what the red ribbon did for HIV/AIDS, it got people together, under one umbrella, talking about it," Hargitay continued. "The shame and stigma belongs with the perpetrator.
"Let's not stand by, let's not accept it anymore," she added. "No more."
Hargitay writes about her increasing awareness of domestic violence of her organization's web site, where she talks about receiving letter from victims of sexual assault and abuse after joining the cast of "SVU."
She created the foundation in response to these letters to help victim reaching out to her to find help and to educate others. The organization has raised over $14 million and has served over 113,500 people through a healing & wellness program.
"When people are abused and assaulted, it is like the doors to their souls slam shut," Hargitay said. "The goal of Joyful Heart is to let the light, and the life, back in - to banish the darkness and let the healing begin."
PSAs from the Joyful Heart Foundation.
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