Mariska Hargitay might save lives and improve public safety as Captain Olivia Benson on her show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, but she also works just as hard to do the same in real life, consistently trying to raise awareness of sexual abuse, domestic abuse and other issues and support the fight to prevent abuse and help survivors.
On May 13, she highlighted an exciting accomplishment for everyone working hard in the same fight, sharing a post on her Instagram Stories about South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signing a bill into law that criminalizes the non-consensual distribution of intimate images. With this action, all 50 states in the U.S. now have laws making this a crime.
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The post was originally shared by the Joyful Heart Foundation, which is a nonprofit founded by Hargitay that works to “transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, support survivors’ healing, and end this violence forever.”
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A post shared by Joyful Heart Foundation (@thejhf)
Others celebrated the historic moment as well, such as one person who wrote, “There are so many who have worked incredibly hard to advocate for this and a major congratulations is in order 🫶.”
“This is AMAZING news!! Thanks for all your work on this Joyful Heart!” said someone else about the accomplishment.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available 24 hours a day through RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of domestic violence, help is available 24 hours a day through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
Related: ‘Law & Order’ Actress Mariska Hargitay is All Smiles During Rare Outing With Son August
