Law & Order: SVU's lead actress Mariska Hargitay has taken on a new role to fight crime, although this time it's not fictional.
Hargitay will begin directing public service announcements to raise awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence, United Press International reported.
The videos will be made on behalf of the "No More" campaign -- partially funded by her organization, the Joyful Heart Foundation -- and will feature other stars like Courteney Cox, Amy Poehler, Debra Messing, Tate Donovan, and fellow SVU actors Ice-T and Dann Florek.
"This is an epidemic that is afflicting our society and I believe that it is an epidemic we can change. For the first time in history, the domestic violence and the sexual assault movements, the two communities, are coming together with this symbol," Hargitay said.
After a study by the campaign found that 60 percent of Americans know a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence, they chose to focus part of the PSAs on encouraging bystanders to help victims.
"It's to this movement what the pink ribbon was to breast cancer, what the red ribbon did for HIV/AIDS; it got people together, under one umbrella, talking about it," she added.
"The shame and stigma belongs with the perpetrator. Let's not stand by; let's not accept it anymore. No more."
According to the Joyful Heart Foundation's website, Hargitay became more aware of growing abuse and assault statistics after joining the cast of SVU nearly 14 years ago. Instead of receiving fan mail asking for autographs, the actress would get letters that said "I was raped when I was fifteen. I'm forty now and never told anyone."
Her response was to create the foundation in 2004 to help the victims reaching out to her heal and as well as educate others. So far, her organization has raised over $14 million and served 13,500 people in their Healing & Wellness program.
"When people are abused and assaulted, it is like the doors to their souls slam shut. The goal of Joyful Heart is to let the light, and the life, back in-to banish the darkness and let the healing begin," Hargitay said.
