Hargitay, known for her empathy and unwavering commitment to justice, has spoken candidly about how playing Olivia Benson has affected her emotionally and mentally. The secondary trauma from portraying such harrowing real-life stories, many based on actual crimes, is something she still grapples with. In interviews, Mariska opened up about the long-lasting impact of the show and how her real-world experiences became entangled with the characters and stories she portrayed.
Secondary Trauma: The Hidden Cost of Playing Olivia Benson
Mariska Hargitay’s role in Law & Order: SVU was never just about playing a fictional detective. From the start, Hargitay immersed herself deeply in the world of sexual assault victims and their stories, and the toll has been more profound than she ever anticipated. It’s one thing to play a character in a scripted drama, but it’s another entirely when the crimes depicted on screen are drawn from real-life horrors.
Hargitay has admitted to experiencing what’s called secondary trauma—a condition that can occur when someone becomes emotionally affected by the trauma of others. She’s seen countless stories of abuse, violence, and assault through the lens of Olivia Benson, and it didn’t take long for her to realize that these fictionalized versions of crimes were often very real.
In an interview with Selena Gomez for Interview Magazine, Hargitay revealed the psychological impact of working on the series. She shared that it took time for her to metabolize the overwhelming number of cases portrayed on the show that were based on true events. The constant exposure to these dark, disturbing topics began to blur the line between fiction and reality.
“I didn’t know how to metabolize it. It was on my brain all the time,” she said. “Anytime I went anywhere, my first question was, ‘What’s the crime rate here?’” Hargitay explained how the show’s stories began to invade her everyday life. The constant awareness of crime rates, the safety of her surroundings, and the real-world implications of what she was portraying became overwhelming.
How Mariska Hargitay’s Real-Life Work Changed Her Understanding of Crime
The toll of secondary trauma wasn’t just felt through her character’s fictional investigations. Hargitay took her role as Olivia Benson very seriously, diving headfirst into training programs to help her better understand the issues surrounding sexual assault and violence. Hargitay participated in a 40-hour training program to become a rape crisis advocate, learning firsthand about the trauma that real victims endure.
Additionally, SVU creator Dick Wolf took Hargitay to a Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention program at Mt. Sinai in New York. There, she was confronted with stark, often horrifying statistics about real-life sexual violence. These experiences had a profound effect on her, leaving her emotionally shaken and more attuned to the realities of sexual assault that occur all too frequently in society.
“I was horrified when I learned the statistics. I couldn’t believe how high the numbers were,” Hargitay revealed. She confessed that she couldn’t fully understand the gravity of what she was learning until she was exposed to it firsthand. These statistics, which she had once viewed from a distance, became personal once she realized how many real victims were out there suffering.
The Burden of Portraying True Stories
As much as Law & Order: SVU has been praised for its impact and relevance, it’s also become a double-edged sword for Hargitay. While her role has empowered victims and raised awareness, it has also brought her a lifetime of emotional baggage. She began questioning the world around her and struggling to make sense of the stories she was bringing to life on-screen.
In another interview, Hargitay discussed how the sheer volume of real-life cases that SVU touches on made it hard for her to process the information. “There were times when I didn’t know how to protect myself,” she confessed. “I definitely was a victim of secondary trauma from being inundated with these stories.”
The more she learned about real-life crime, the harder it became for her to separate fiction from reality. The role of Olivia Benson wasn’t just acting anymore—it became a part of her identity, and the weight of those stories affected her long after she left the set.
Turning Pain Into Purpose: The Joyful Heart Foundation
Despite the toll it took on her, Hargitay found a way to turn her pain into something productive and powerful. In the fifth year of playing Olivia Benson, she founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. The foundation aims to provide healing and support for victims, as well as raise awareness about the importance of tackling these issues.
The foundation’s impact has been profound. Through her years of dedication to SVU, Hargitay realized that she had the ability not only to bring awareness to the issues on-screen but also to make a difference in the real world. Her foundation has played a pivotal role in solving real-life cases, helping prosecutors, law enforcement, and organizations test unprocessed rape kits. The Joyful Heart Foundation’s efforts have led to the identification and prosecution of serial rapists, helping countless victims receive justice.
For Hargitay, the foundation was a way to channel her emotional struggles into tangible change. “The stories I’ve heard from real victims, the ones who came up to me and said, ‘I knew what to do because of watching your show,’” Hargitay shared with THR. “That’s what I’m most proud of.”
She explained that these stories, where victims learned how to protect themselves and seek justice because of Olivia Benson’s portrayal, made the emotional cost of playing the character worthwhile. Knowing that she had helped even one person take control of their situation brought her a sense of pride and purpose.
The Evolution of Olivia Benson: How Mariska Hargitay Found Empowerment
Over the years, Hargitay’s role as Olivia Benson has evolved in ways that mirror her personal growth. She’s no longer just the young detective trying to make a difference—she has become an executive producer on the show and a key decision-maker in shaping Benson’s story.
Hargitay has said that as she grew into the role, she also grew as a person. “I grew and evolved, both as Mariska and as Olivia Benson. I think my favorite part is that as I evolved, I didn’t give away pieces of myself,” she shared. Now, as a producer, Hargitay has more control over how her character’s journey unfolds, and she continues to use her voice to create meaningful, impactful stories for the show.
Mariska’s empowerment in the role and her advocacy work off-screen have helped her navigate the emotional challenges that come with playing a character who deals with some of the darkest aspects of human nature.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Strength and Advocacy
Mariska Hargitay’s 25-year journey on Law & Order: SVU has been one of triumph, sacrifice, and emotional toll. The secondary trauma from portraying Olivia Benson and immersing herself in the world of sexual violence advocacy has affected her deeply, but it has also motivated her to make real, lasting change in the world. Through her foundation, her advocacy, and her portrayal of Benson, Hargitay has given a voice to the voiceless and created a platform for healing and justice.
The impact of SVU is undeniable, and Hargitay’s ability to turn her pain into purpose has left a lasting legacy. Her character, Olivia Benson, remains one of television’s most beloved and important figures, and Hargitay’s real-world influence continues to inspire millions.
