On "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," Mariska Hargitay plays a police detective who works around the clock to help New York City's special victims, the women and children who fall prey to sexual abuse and other violence. But Hargitay's concern for these individuals doesn't stop when the cameras stop rolling — the actress is a spokesperson for Safe Horizon, a New York City–based nonprofit organization that helps victims of abuse (and a partner in Lifetime's Stop Violence Against Women campaign). In an exclusive interview, Hargitay spoke about her support for this very important cause.

Lifetime: Why did you feel compelled to get involved with the issue of violence against women?
Hargitay: Our show deals with sex crimes and child abuse, and most of the stories are based on real-life cases, so I'm reminded every day what a huge problem this is in our society. What's affected me the most has been hearing directly from sexual-assault survivors. Talking to and reading letters from both women and men who've been victims of these crimes is heartbreaking. A lot of survivors tell me our show has been an inspiration for them, but they're the ones who inspire me with their bravery and courage. After hearing their stories and witnessing their incredible strength firsthand, I can't imagine not doing everything in my power to help.

Lifetime: Tell us about the organization you work with, Safe Horizon.
Hargitay: For 25 years, Safe Horizon has helped victims become survivors. They operate New York City's only 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week hot line for victims of rape, sexual assault, incest and other violent crimes, providing crisis counseling and referrals for long-term assistance. The Safe Horizon Rape Victim Advocate Program also provides crisis intervention and immediate emotional support, acts as a liaison with hospital staff and criminal justice personnel, and supplies information and referrals for follow-up care. In addition, Safe Horizon is dedicated to building awareness about the issues of rape and sexual assault. Recently, I was privileged to help with a public service announcement that increased calls to the hot line by 115%. That's a great start, but it also shows how many victims are still unaware of the resources available, and we can't stop until we've reached every one. The Safe Horizon number is 212-227-3000.

Lifetime: What are some things every woman and man can do to help make the world a safer place for girls and women?
Hargitay: First of all, people who have been victims of sexual assault should always remember that it's not their fault and that they are not alone. There is help available, and it's never too late to reach out for it. All too many of these crimes go unreported — we need to provide support and compassion for those brave enough to come forward, so others are encouraged to do the same. It's so important that we create an environment — as I hope we do with "SVU" — in which people can talk about these issues and dispel all the myths, especially the idea that victims are in some way responsible for what happened to them. Survivors should never be afraid to get help. They need compassion, not judgment, and support, not blame. And finally, we can back organizations like Safe Horizon that work to educate all of us on how to create a world in which crimes like these are a thing of the past.