Heartbreaking: Mariska Hargitay says she was raped in her 30s

Law & Order (Special Victims Unit) protagonist Mariska Hagitay recently shared a heartbreaking experience. She said she was raped by a 'friend' when she was in her 30s. Law & Order (Special Victims Unit) protagonist Mariska Hagitay recently shared a heartbreaking experience. She said she was raped by a 'friend' when she was in her 30s.

"It wasn't sexual at all. It was dominance and control. Overpowering control." she wrote in a write-up for People. "It wasn't sexual at all. It was dominance and control. Overpowering control." she wrote in a write-up for People.

The 59-year old actor revealed that for a while she tried to manage and tackle the experience by immersing herself in the work with 'Joyful Heart'. The 59-year old actor revealed that for a while she tried to manage and tackle the experience by immersing herself in the work with 'Joyful Heart'.

Joyful Heart is an organization that she has established for helping the survivors of sexual assault, domestic abuse and child abuse. Joyful Heart is an organization that she has established for helping the survivors of sexual assault, domestic abuse and child abuse.

Hargitay said she 'downplayed' her trauma to everyone, including her husband Peter Hermann and didn't admit that she herself was a survivor, even in her speeches. Hargitay said she 'downplayed' her trauma to everyone, including her husband Peter Hermann and didn't admit that she herself was a survivor, even in her speeches.

But with time and help, she gradually made peace with her experience and emerged stronger. But with time and help, she gradually made peace with her experience and emerged stronger.

"Now I am able to see clearly what was done to me. I understand the neurobiology of trauma. Trauma fractures our mind and memory," she wrote in the essay for the People. "Now I am able to see clearly what was done to me. I understand the neurobiology of trauma. Trauma fractures our mind and memory," she wrote in the essay for the People.

Mariska Hargitay is popular for her role as Captain Olivia Benson in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'; a role that she has played for good 25 years. Mariska Hargitay is popular for her role as Captain Olivia Benson in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'; a role that she has played for good 25 years.

On the show too, she helps victims of special crime, including victims of sexual assault. On the show too, she helps victims of special crime, including victims of sexual assault.