**TRIGGER WARNING. This episode contains conversations about sexual violence, sexual assault, and abuse. If you are triggered or would like to talk to a confidential advocate, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.656.4673***

Ilse Knecht is the director of policy and advocacy at the Joyful Heart Foundation. The organization was created in 2004 by Mariska Hargitay, best known for playing Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU, after receiving thousands of emails from survivors sharing their stories of abuse. Ilse leads the Foundation’s End the Backlog initiative, which is at the forefront of identifying hundreds of thousands of untested rape kits across the country. 

Listen to Jay and Ilse discuss Mariska’s inspiration to create Joyful Heart, why hundreds of thousands of rape kits sit on shelves, and their mission to get justice for victims of sexual assault. 

 

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