Mariska Hargitay directs powerful new video supporting male sexual abuse survivors

March 3, 2016, 5:33 PM UTC / Source: TODAY

By Sarah Epstein

Mariska Hargitay is taking a page from her "Law and Order: SVU" character, Olivia Benson, and fighting to raise awareness about male survivors of sexual abuse.

Hargitay's Joyful Heart Foundation, in partnership with 1in6 and Viacom, has expanded upon its "NO MORE Excuses" campaign, and launched a new video public service announcement, as well as print ads as part of the Male Survivors Series.

"Survivors of all genders are by and large encouraged to bury our experiences," Joyful Heart CEO Maile M. Zambuto said in a press release. "For men in particular, the response may be one of questioning their manhood or sexual orientation, or insisting that they must have wanted the sexual interaction."

"We need to change that narrative so men and boys, as well as women and girls, can feel safe stepping forward to get help."

The PSA starts with Natasha Lyonne from "Orange is the New Black" asking, "What kind of man would let that happen to him?"

Major stars continue with one-liners and questions commonly spoken to sexual assault survivors in the 45-second video.

"It's none of my business," Courtney Cox says.

"It's just a woman's issue," offers "Brooklyn Nine Nine" star Andre Braugher.

Debra Messing says, "It's not my problem."

"Not at this school," "not on this team," "not in this family," adds Tim Gunn, Nick Lachey, and former "SVU" actress Marcia Gay Harden.

Hargitay powerfully adds, "But he's such a nice guy."

Hargitay is joined in the PSA with many of her "SVU" costars, both present and former, as well. In the PSA, Ice-T (Detective Tutuola), says, "He said he was sorry."

Christopher Meloni (Elliot Stabler), closes the PSA saying, "We're never gonna fix it."

The video ends with a powerful fact: "1 in 6 men are survivors of childhood sexual abuse. If you or someone you care about needs help, please visit 1in6.org."