Mariska Hargitay of Law & Order: SVU to tour National Domestic Violence Hotline with Joe Biden

(UPI) -- Mariska Hargitay, who has played NYC sex crimes detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit for the last 14 years, will tour the National Domestic Violence Hotline in Austin, Texas, Wednesday with Vice President Joe Biden.

Their visit coincides with the end of domestic violence awareness month on Thursday.

Hargitay is the president and founder of the Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping victims of sexual assault re-introduce joy into their lives. Joyful Heart recently helped spearhead the NO MORE campaign to generate awareness and address domestic violence.

“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,” Hargitay said.

“The Hotline stands as an indispensable resource to help break the isolation that so many victims of domestic violence feel. 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.”

Joyful Heart offers services in New York, Los Angeles and Honolulu.