Reunion Online

Italy, 1992. A 45-year-old driving instructor picks up an 18-year-old girl for her first lesson, takes her to an isolated road, pulls her out of the car, wrestles her out of one leg of her jeans and rapes her. She courageously tells her parents. They help and support her in pressing charges, leading to the perpetrator's arrest and prosecution. He is convicted of rape and sentenced to jail.

Millions of people will wear jeans on Wednesday, April 25 to participate in Denim Day in LA & USA to raise awareness around sexual violence issues and support survivors of sexual assault.

New Yorkers are encouraged to wear jeans tomorrow in support of sexual assault victims. Politicians and advocates rallied today on the steps of City Hall for Denim Day, which kicks off tomorrow.

More than two years ago, Cleveland police started an ambitious project to account for thousands of pieces of evidence in sexual assault cases going back at least 20 years. In doing so, they join a growing number of cities across America that are testing old evidence that has the potential to solve cold cases and offer some solace for victims, even in cases that can't be prosecuted.

Sitting solo on stage, beautiful Mariska Hargitay of ‘Law & Order: SVU’ chats about her 13th seasons in the role as Olivia Benson as the 14th season is approaching. Besides being an award winning actress, Mariska has used her voice in support of her charity, Joyful Heart Foundation which offers healing, wellness and empowerment programs for survivors of abuse and the professionals who care for them.

On her show, "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" Mariska often deals with women who have suffered from abuse. She has created an incredible organization called the Joyful Heart Foundation to support them. You can find out more at JoyfulHeartFoundation.org.

On this week's episode of Kukui Connection, Rep. Marilyn Lee welcomes Kata Issari, Hawaii Regional Director of the Joyful Heart Foundation. The Foundation was created by Mariska Hargitay, of the television show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, in 2004. Joyful Heart's mission is to heal, educate, and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse and shed light into the darkness that surrounds these issues.

The Joyful Heart Foundation, created by Mariska Hargitay of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, is taking on child abuse in Hawaii with the One Strong Ohana campaign

In recognition of April serving as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, 1in6, Inc.—a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help men who experienced unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in childhood live healthier, happier lives—proudly announces their recent partnership with the Joyful Heart Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Emmy Award-winning actress and advocate Mariska Hargitay of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit with the mission to heal, educate and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse, and to shed light into the darkness that surrounds these issues.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill expanding the state’s DNA database to include misdemeanors in addition to felonies. Left out of that list of crimes: first-offense misdemeanor marijuana possession, a crime that Assemblywoman Barbara Clark [corrected] noted scoops up a disproportionate number of black and Latino youths.