Joyful Heart in the News

Mariska Hargitay, who for 14 years has played New York City sex crimes Detective Olivia Benson on the NBC television drama “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” will join Vice President Joe Biden on his visit to the National Domestic Violence Hotline in Austin on Wednesday, the vice president’s office confirmed today.

In a statement, Hargitay, the president and founder of the Joyful Heart Foundation, said, “I am deeply honored to join Vice President Biden in shining a light on the tremendous work being done by the National Domestic Violence Hotline, a longtime partner of the Joyful Heart Foundation.”

“The Hotline stands as an indispensable resource to help break the isolation that so many victims of domestic violence feel,” said Hargitay. “I am eager not only to see new innovations and resources made possible through Verizon’s ongoing support, but also to celebrate the commitment and care the Hotline’s advocates bring to their work every day. And I will of course never stop celebrating Vice President Biden’s vision and leadership that allowed the Hotline to be created.”

The mission of Joyful Heart, with service hubs in New York, Los Angeles and Honolulu, is to heal, educate and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse.