Law & Order: SVU Star Mariska Hargitay on Harvey Weinstein Sentencing

On Law & Order: SVU and other Law & Order series, the screen often slowly fades to black as principal players start to respond to the guilty verdicts that are read. Viewers are left to wonder how those involved truly feel. Now, series star Mariska Hargitay is revealing her thoughts on a real-life sentencing.

Mariska Hargitay Speaks Out

According to multiple outlets, former film world power player Harvey Weinstein has received a sentence of 23 years having been found guilty of two felony assault charges.

Hargitay, who plays Captain Olivia Benson on Law & Order SVU, and is a champion for victims both on and off-screen, shared her thoughts about the sentence on social media.

“Today is a hard-won milestone for the #SilenceBreakers who dared to tell their stories, especially when the personal and professional risks were so high,” the Emmy-winning actress posted. “Also holding space for all survivors who cannot or do not report. More than ever, you are not alone. #BelieveSurvivors.”

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Prior to being sentenced, Weinstein spoke in court, expressing remorse. “I feel it deeply in my heart,” he said. “I will spend my time really caring and really trying to be a better person.”

Weinstein will likely spend all his time behind bars. At his age, 67, he is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison. CNN described Weinstein’s decision to speak as both unexpected and unwise as he plans to appeal his guilty verdict and faces other rape and sexual assault charges in Los Angeles.

Law & Order: SVU’s next original episode is titled Dance, Lies, and Videotape. The series, which also stars Ice-T as Odafin Tutuola, Kelli Giddish as Amanda Rollins, and Peter Scanavino as Dominick Carisi, Jr., is set to be television’s longest-running drama, having recently been renewed for an additional three seasons. The Simpsons remains primetime TV’s longest-running scripted series. Law & Order: SVU airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on NBC.