Plus, getting to help victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence through the show’s storylines is a gift Hargitay is forever grateful for.

“I’m deeply inspired by the material, by the message, by working with my costars,” she shared. “I love my job, and I’m profoundly grateful to tell these stories and to touch people’s hearts and have people reconnect with their humanity and think about difficult things and know that they can heal from it.”

Hargitay even channels Det. Benson in real life helping victims of abuse with her Joyful Heart Foundation. And recently, she even teamed up with Purina to support their Purple Leash Project, which helps domestic violence shelters across the country become pet-friendly.

“The fact that whether or not your pet could come with you when you’re in this incredibly dangerous situation was staggering to me, ” she explained. “They want to make shelters pet-friendly so a survivor never has to choose between their pet and their own safety. I thought it was incredible.”

Keep reading to look back at Hargitay and Hermann’s enduring love story.

Law & Order: SVU airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on NBC.