Mariska Named One of PEOPLE's Women Changing the World

When I began playing Olivia Benson on Law and Order: Special Victims’ Unit, I received thousands of letters from sexual assault survivors all over the world, disclosing their personal stories of abuse. These letters had a powerful effect on me, and I knew I had to do something. I was very proud and grateful to be on as how that was brave enough to go into territory that no one was talking about, but I wanted to respond in a more complete and personal way — to do more to help survivors heal and reclaim their lives. In 2004, the Joyful Heart Foundation was my answer.

Today, we are a national organization based in New York City, dedicated to transforming society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, supporting survivors’ healing, and ending this violence forever. 

Our focus since 2010 has been the elimination of the rape kit backlog through our End The Backlog initiative. Through partnerships with federal, state and local government, non-profit organizations, law enforcement, advocates and survivors, we are working to bring attention, critical funding, and reforms to improve the criminal justice response to sexual violence.

We are implementing a national campaign to pass comprehensive rape kit reform legislation — based on six different mandates — in all 50 states. To date, 41 states and Washington, D.C. have passed more than 70 laws supporting some aspect of the six pillars of reform.

Joyful Heart has identified more than 225,000 untested rape kits sitting in police, crime lab or other storage facilities across the United States. And with several states remaining that have yet to count the untested rape kits in their possession, we believe there are several hundred thousand more yet to be discovered.

Our work has only just begun, which is where you come in. Whether you can participate by giving financially or by advocating in your state (or both!), the more people behind this movement the better. 

Here are the ways you can take action today and help us #endthebacklog. 

Give Together we can change how people think about and respond to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.

Act Want to know what is happening in your state to address the backlog? Check out our interactive map to find state-by-state pages and updates.

Join Stay up-to-date on legislative changes, breaking news, and opportunities to lend your voice to this effort.

Get Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with an issue surrounding sexual assault or violence, you can find a list of helpful resources here. You are not alone.