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Mariska Hargitay Says Playing Olivia Benson Helped Her Open Up About Her Own Sexual Assault

On 'Call Her Daddy,' Mariska Hargitay explained how playing Olivia Benson on 'Law and Order' helped her understand her experience of sexual assault.

On Call Her Daddy, the Law & Order: SVU star said the role gave her the "deep compassion and empathy and understanding" she needed as she grappled with what had happened to her Speaking with Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper — who recently opened upabout her own experience with sexual harassment — Hargitay explained how she contended with that tension within herself. Throughout the conversation, Hargitay spoke about all the work she had to do to reach this point and understand how the body and mind respond to and process trauma.

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