Taylor Swift donates to Mariska Hargitay’s foundation for sexual assault survivors
Taylor Swift continues to make a stand following Monday’s court victory.
Days after the jury awarded the 27-year-old pop star $1 after ruling former DJ David Mueller had groped her during a 2013 Denver meet-and-greet, Swift acted on her pledge to donate to organizations in support of survivors of sexual assault, including friend Mariska Hargitay‘s Joyful Heart Foundation.
“Joyful Heart is honored to be recognized by Taylor Swift for our work on behalf of and in service to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse,” the organization told Page Six in a statement Thursday.
Though the sum of Swift’s contribution was not released, the foundation’s CEO, Malie M. Zambuto, shared her donation is an “extremely generous financial investment in the movement to end sexual violence.”
“Taylor’s actions send a powerful message to survivors everywhere: you matter. What happens to you matters. And you are not alone,” Zambuto stated.
Following the jury’s decision Monday, Swift promised to fight for victims of sexual assault.
“I acknowledge the privilege that I benefit from in life, in society and in my ability to shoulder the enormous cost of defending myself in a trial like this,” the singer told People in a statement. “My hope is to help those whose voices should also be heard.”
Hargitay, 53, who appeared in Swift’s star-studded music video for “Bad Blood” in 2015, commended the music superstar for speaking out.
“I hope that Taylor’s very public experience ― and her decision to speak out ― not only helps empower other victims to speak up and take action, but offers them solidarity,” Hargitay said in a statement. “I’m honored by her dedication and commitment to these issues, and I’m deeply grateful for her support of the Joyful Heart Foundation.”
The actress launched the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004, inspired by her role as detective Olivia Benson on “Law and Order: SVU.”
“I founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, national organization with the mission to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse; support survivors’ healing, and end this violence forever,” Hargitay said. “The experience of sexual assault and domestic violence can be extremely isolating. One of the most important points we make to survivors is this: you are not alone.”
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