Joyful Heart in the News

Actress Mariska Hargitay has raised $700,000 (£466,660) to benefit victims of domestic violence.

The Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star was joined by her former co-star Christopher Meloni, as well as Hilary Swank and Marcia Gay Harden on Thursday (26Sep13) in Los Angeles for the JoyRocks and Joyful Heart Foundation benefit dinner, which aims to raise awareness and funds to combat domestic violence.

She told The Hollywood Reporter, "Tonight is about brave souls, fearlessness, stepping up, being engaged and no more bystanding. No more. Here's a room full of courage and it just inspires the s**t out of me..."

Hargitay founded the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004 after being inspired by fan mail she received from TV viewers that felt connected to her character Detective Olivia Benson on the police drama. Earlier this month (Sep13), Hargitay launched the NO MORE campaign with public service announcements featuring 45 actors including Amy Poehler and Courteney Cox, and another of her TV co-stars, Ice-T.