Full Media Archive

Publication	Title
	Law & Order crime show battles rape myths: study Nov. 19, 2015 • The Star By Peter Edwards TV show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit may help educate television viewers about rape and importance of sexual consent, study suggests. read more
	This is why thousands of Minnesota rape kits go untested Nov. 13, 2015 • St. Paul Pioneer Press By Elizabeth Mohr The numbers might seem alarming: more than 3,000 rape kits sitting on shelves, untested, at law enforcement agencies across the state. And for more than 9 percent of those cases, the reason for not testing is "unknown." But police are quick to explain that a reasonable explanation often exists for not testing evidence collected after a sex assault is reported: Sometimes victims do not want to move forward with a case. Sometimes the suspect's identity is not in question. Sometimes prosecutors decline to file charges. read more
	Michael Stars launches limited T-shirts • The Beach Reporter By The Beach Reporter Michael Stars is teaming up with actress Mariska Hargitay and Joyful Heart Foundation to introduce an updated capsule collection of limited-edition tees and tanks that launched nationwide last week. read more
	California to propose an end to statute of limitations in rape cases Nov. 10, 2015 • Al Jazeera By Marisa Taylor At least 16 states have no statute of limitations for rape cases in face of rape kit backlog, delays in reporting crimes. read more
	Untested rape kits in Idaho raise concerns November 9, 2016 • The Salt Lake Tribune By The Associated Press Police chief Chris Allgood says he doesn’t want to put DNA into database if crime not committed. read more
	Some advocates believe rape kit testing should not be left to law enforcement’s discretion Nov. 9, 2015 • Idaho Press-Tribune By Ruth Brown Advocates, legislators and law enforcement discuss current rape kit testing laws and what, if anything, should be done to change them. read more
	The War on Drugs Could Be Making Our Communities More Dangerous November 8, 2015 • Vice News By Justin Glawe When 11 corpses were discovered in and around the Cleveland home of Anthony Sowell in the fall of 2009, there were some 4,000 untested rape kits being neglected by local cops. The deranged rapist and murderer was stopped, but his case exposed the stunning mishandling of missing persons and sexual assault cases in the city, a problem advocates argue has festered nationwide as the war on drugs has sucked up public safety dollars that might otherwise have gone toward putting rapists and killers behind bars. read more
	Celebrities Answer Phones for Charity Trades February 18, 2016 • Look to the Stars Bloomberg Tradebook’s fourth annual Charity Day took place on November 4, and this year it was bigger and more global than ever. read more
	Rutgers says 'no more' to sexual violence, domestic abuse November 3, 2015 • The Daily Targum By Natasha Tripathi Two weeks ago on Oct. 1, Jake Comito gathered about 60 blue 3-by-2-foot poster boards with “NO MORE” printed at the top to Quad Circle on Livingston campus, where students were walking through and asked what the boards were all about. The Rutgers Business School junior and resident assistant would then explain that he and a few close friends have taken the initiative to align with the Joyful Heart Foundation’s campaign against sexual violence and domestic abuse, "NO MORE." read more
	Giants set new tone for NFL inclusion October 31, 2015 • espnW By Jane McManus Giants linebacker Mark Herzlich has become used to discussing deeply personal subjects, be it his own cancer or discovering that his wife, Danielle, had experienced domestic violence. Last week, Herzlich was one of four NFL players featured in a new series of ads from Joyful Heart and No More, the umbrella organization raising awareness about domestic violence. read more
	12 celebrities who use their fame for good October 30, 2015 • TriplePundit By Mary Mazzoni Most of us know Mariska Hargitay for her role as Detective Olivia Benson on the long-running television hit, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” But what went on behind the scenes may come as a surprise. ... read more
	Thompson: A rape survivor opens up October 29, 2016 • The Detroit News By Bankole Thompson Detroiter Ardelia Ali was only 18 when she encountered the worst kind of sexual violence and trauma any woman could undergo. After the end of a day’s shift at Burger King, she was walking to catch a bus near Hoyt and Seven Mile on the evening of Nov. 18, 1995, when she felt a knife on her back. Forced to a nearby vacant land, she was raped. ... read more
	9 celebrities who’ve been touched by domestic violence October 26, 2015 • Everyday Health By Sara Altshul Though she hasn’t personally experienced domestic violence, in her iconic role as Detective Olivia Benson on the long-running TV drama, Law & Order: SVU, Mariska Hargitay has lived, breathed — and solved — unspeakable crimes against women and children for the past 16 years. Her role has clearly gotten under her skin. In 2004, she founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, a national organization that has served more than 14,000 survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence and the professionals who help them. ... read more
	New York Giants: What you're missing in Cowboys game October 25, 2015 • Fansided By Nafisa H Oh, it’s on! The New York Giants take on the Dallas Cowboys today in what will surely be an interesting showdown. With first place in the NFC East division on the line, the Giants are looking to even their 2015 series against their biggest rivals and bounce back from a dismal performance in Philadelphia Monday night. read more
	New York Giants join My Sisters' Place to help end domestic violence October 25, 2016 • White Plains Daily Voice By Nicole Briggs WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – During Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Giants joined with longtime partner My Sisters’ Place and the Joyful Heart Foundation, founded by actress, producer, director and advocate Mariska Hargitay, to honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month. read more
	In a man's game, Mark Herzlich is standing up for women October 24, 2015 • The New York Times By Bill Pennington EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Giants linebacker Mark Herzlich grew up in locker rooms, from peewee football to the N.F.L. “It’s a very unusual work environment — a small space and 100 percent male,” Herzlich said. Locker to locker, the setting is marinated in machismo, with a lineup of employees celebrated for their toughness. “We play a rough game on TV,” Herzlich said. “People see us and say: ‘Man, look at that dude. That’s a guy right there.’ ” ... read more
	NFL players commemorate National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in upcoming "SVU" marathon 10/23/2015 • The Futon Critic The new interstitial campaign features Mariska Hargitay and NFL stars encouraging everyone to "get off the sidelines" to help stop domestic violence and sexual assault. read more
	Staffers From The Center In Stamford Talk At Sexual Assault Symposium September 25, 2015 • Stamford Daily Voice By Tom Renner STAMFORD, Conn. -- Jessica Buchanan and Charlotte Poth of The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education, located in Stamford, joined the national conversation on sexual assault prevention education at The Fearless Conference: An Innovative Symposium on Sexual Assault held on Sept. 18 in New York City. read more
	Mariska Hargitay is front and center as 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' kicks off its 17th season September 14, 2015 • Daily News By Jaqueline Cutler Mariska Hargitay returns as Sgt. Olivia Benson in the 17th season of “Law & Order: SVU.” read more
	More than 40 police agencies to get $79M to test rape kits September 11, 2015 • USA Today By Steve Reilly and Charisse Jones A USA TODAY/TEGNA joint investigation finds thousands of untested rape kits sitting in police department evidence rooms across the country. Rape victims, politicians and police are speaking out, hoping to change that. read more
	White House, NYC prosecutor pledge $79 million to test rape kits September 10, 2015 • Al Jazeera Funding will go toward DNA testing on an estimated 70,000 rape kits, which are often backlogged because of expense. read more
	New national funding will clear Utah’s backlog of untested rape kits September 10, 2015 • The Salt Lake Tribune By The Associated Press White House, NYC prosecutor pledge $79M to test the kits nationwide. read more
	State Attorney's Office receives $2 million federal grant to clear rape test-kit backlog September 10, 2015 • jacksonville.com By Derek Gilliam State Attorney Angela Corey announced Thursday afternoon that her office has received nearly $2 million in a federal grant to eliminate the about 1,300 sexual-assault test kits sitting on evidence shelves at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. read more
	Nearly $80 Million Will Be Used to Finally Test Thousands of Rape Kits September 10, 2015 • Jezebel By Anna Merlin Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Loretta Lynch were in New York Thursday to announce that the White House has awarded $41 million in new rape kit testing grants to police departments across the country, added to the $38 million in grant money that Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance already contributed. That $79 million will be used to test 70,000 backlogged rape kits across the country. Finally. ... read more
	$79m pledged to eliminate persistent rape kit backlog September 10, 2015 • The Guardian By Jessica Glenza Joe Biden and attorney general Loretta Lynch announce initiative to end backlog of untested sexual assault DNA kits. read more