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      April 1, 2008

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    Competent, Street-Smart Cop

 

   

MARISKA HARGITAY

Det. Olivia Benson of Law and Order Special Victims Unit  is a Street-Smart Cop who in real life advances the healing measures for women of sexual abuse, and rape. "As a woman, it's gratifying to play a part that's a multi-layered challenge," said Hargitay. "Olivia is not only a competent, street-smart cop, she's an empathetic woman who can respond emotionally to victims of terrible crimes without compromising her professionalism." Hargitay's work on "SVU" motivated her to help real-life survivors of sexual assault. Giving generously of her time and talent, she has become involved with several non-profit rape crisis programs on both the East and West coasts, including SAAVI (Sexual Assault Victims Volunteer Initiative) and her own organization, the Joyful Heart Foundation. In 2004, Hargitay also received the Gracie Allen Award on behalf of American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT) for Individual Achievement for Best Female Lead Actress for her portrayal of Benson. And in "SVU's" freshman season (1999-2000), she earned Best Actress nominations from the Viewers for Quality Television, the TV Guide Awards and the International Press Academy. Hargitay gained recognition from her recurring role on NBC's popular series "ER" as Dr. Greene's (Anthony Edwards) sometimes naïve girlfriend, Cynthia Hooper, in the 1997-98 season. Hargitay also earned notice as a cast regular in comedy series "Can't Hurry Love," starring Nancy McKeon, as well as for her roles on the popular series "Falcon Crest" and "Prince Street." Her other television credits include starring roles in the television movies "Plain Truth," "The Advocate's Devil" and "Night Sins." Additionally, Hargitay was seen in guest-starringroles on "Seinfeld," "Ellen," "Thirtysomething," "Wiseguy" and "In the Heat

  
   
of the Night." Hargitay was born and raised in Los Angeles, she is the youngest daughter of screen legend Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay. She divides her time in New York with filming, her husband and beloved son. read more
 
         


 
   

SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION A Travis County Texas judge ruled Friday that the state's new $5-per-patron strip club fee is an unconstitutional tax, but the state promised to appeal. State District Judge Scott Jenkins' ruling prohibits Texas from assessing or collecting the tax. Clubs were to have made their first quarterly payments next month. Jenkins said the fee is actually a "content-based tax" that must be strictly scrutinized because it is imposed on a business activity protected by the First Amendment. He said it did not pass constitutional muster because the state failed to link the activity being taxed to the programs being funded. The Legislature enacted the adult entertainment fee, effective Jan. 1, and dedicated the first $25 million to sexual assault prevention and additional revenue to low-income health care. The fee was expected to raise more than $50 million for health care in its first two years. It was the dedication of money to health care that caused the tax to be unconstitutional, Jenkins said. He heard testimony from club owners, state employees and sexual assault prevention officials during a four-day trial earlier this month. "There is no evidence that combining alcohol with nude erotic dancing causes dancers to be uninsured, that any dancer is in fact uninsured, or that any uninsured dancer could qualify for assistance the fund," the judge said. "The programs that were to be funded from this money were worthwhile, but we disagree with the unconstitutional manner in which they were imposed," said Stewart Whitehead, who represented the Texas

  

Entertainment Association and a Amarillo club, which challenged the fee. The Texas Attorney General's Office said it would "vigorously appeal" Jenkins' ruling. "One day after Texans were horrified to learn that a Dallas strip club exploited a 12-year-old child by illegally allowing her to work as a 'dancer,' it is unfortunate that Texas sexual assault victims may not receive the financial support they were promised," Jerry Strickland, a spokesman for Attorney General Greg Abbott, said in a statement given to the Houston Chronicle.

   
         
   

CELL PHONE PORN At Parkland High School in Pennsylvania, pornographic cell phone images of students quickly made the rounds among many other students whose phones could receive and send photos and videos. According to students, most who received the photos quickly forwarded them to all of their contacts. A few students, however, were dismayed to receive the photos and informed the school resource officer of what was going on. The district attorney's office investigated the matter, and compiled a list of about 40 students known to have received the pictures and videos. The office wrote to those students' parents, explaining the situation and requesting consent to examine each student's phone and make sure the images were deleted. "These images fall within the definition of 'child pornography' for the purposes of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code. The mere possession of child pornography constitutes a felony of the third degree," warned the letter. "Any student who is found to be in possession of these images or videos after Jan. 29 will be prosecuted, as a juvenile, to the fullest extent of the law." A state trooper examined students' cell phones at school the following week. Some Parkland students said it would be impossible for the school or the district attorney to contain the spread of the pictures and videos. "The school isn't going to get everybody because it is everybody," said one junior. "I don't know anybody who didn't get the pictures."

  
 
   

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Centers for Decency is apart of a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization which encourages, motivates, educates, and equips the family and community in morality and decency offering information, articles, volunteers to make the difference, with conference speakers thereby battling the pornography and obscenity. If you appreciate our focus and hard work, send any dollar amount for donations or creative gifts to Centers for Decency, 1415 S. Voss Road, Suite 110393, Houston, Texas 77057 or call 713.266.2715.