Reunion Online

The Law & Order: SVU star teared up when she discussed the immense backlog of untested rape kits.

It's no news that "Law & Order: SVU" star Mariska Hargitay fights for survivors of sexual assault in real life. The Joyful Heart Foundation, which she founded to help put an end to sexual and domestic violence, has recently helped the city of Detroit obtain funds to process a backlog of nearly 11,000 untested rape kits.

Actress Mariska Hargitay joined Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy Monday to discuss proposed legislation that would speed up sexual assault kit testing.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy on Monday enlisted some star power in her push for funding and legislation to help clear a backlog of thousands of untested Detroit rape kits.

The "Law & Order: SVU" star's Joyful Heart Foundation will serve as a beneficiary of the film.

Prosecutor Kym Worthy speaks at a press conference at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice about the 11,000 untested rape kits in the county waiting testing and investigation, Monday, March 10, 2014. Worthy was joined by actress and Joyful Heart Foundation founder Mariska Hargitay to talk about Detroit's progress in testing and getting justice for survivors of sexual assault.

Actress Mariska Hargitay, who portrays a police detective on television, on Monday pledged her support for a real-life crime-fighting effort: quicker testing for a backlog of thousands of rape kits in the Detroit area and across Michigan.

Mariska Hargitay discusses her Emmy Award winning role on 'Law & Order: SVU' and her charitable foundation.

The actress chatted about the drama as it enters the second half of its 15th season tonight. She also talked about her Joyful Heart Foundation, which helps victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. "If you talk about it, that’s how you get rid of it," she said.

Mariska Hargitay’s fictional life on “Law & Order: Special Victms Unit” inspired her to launch the very real Joyful Heart Foundation.