---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When people are abused and assaulted, it…"
description: "\"When people are abused and assaulted, it is like the doors to their souls slam shut. The goal of Joyful Heart is to let the light, and the life, back i..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d89/mariska-hargitay-5252_joyful-heart_when-people-are-abused-and-assaulted-it_1268073.jpg"
---

#  When people are abused and assaulted, it is like the doors…

![“When people are abused and assaulted, it is like the doors to their souls slam shut. The goal of Joyful Heart is to let the light, and the life, back in--to banish the darkness and let the healing begin.” quote by Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d89/mariska-hargitay-5252_joyful-heart_when-people-are-abused-and-assaulted-it_1268073.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d89/mariska-hargitay-5252_joyful-heart_when-people-are-abused-and-assaulted-it_1268073.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d89/mariska-hargitay-5252_joyful-heart_when-people-are-abused-and-assaulted-it_1268073.jpg)

> “When people are abused and assaulted, it is like the doors to their souls slam shut. The goal of Joyful Heart is to let the light, and the life, back in--to banish the darkness and let the healing begin.”

[Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Trauma can shut down emotional openness; supportive interventions aim to restore hope and healing.

**In simple terms:** Abuse blocks inner light; help restores it.

Key Takeaway

Provide compassionate support to re‑open emotional doors.

Themes

trauma healing hope

Mood

empathetic determined

Type

inspirational motivational

When to use this quote

- counseling
- support groups
- community outreach
- therapy

Key Concepts

psychology resilience recovery

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we create safe spaces for survivors?
- What resources best restore hope?

A Different Perspective

Healing can be hindered by systemic barriers and stigma.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Healing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/healing/) [Healing Begin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/healing-begin-889566/) [Heart Let](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart-let/) [Joyful heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joyful-heart/) [Let Healing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/let-healing-1125281/)

## Related quotes

> [“Let nature take its course, let the healing begin, and who knows what the future may bring.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-ellis/let-nature-take-its-course-let-the-healing-begin-and-who-knows-what/)

[Joy Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ellis/)

> [In the deserts of the heart Let the healing fountain start.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/in-the-deserts-of-the-heart-let-the-healing-fountain-start/)

[W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/)

> [Come and let the healing, cleansing rays of Calvary play upon your hearts until the very seed of evil is sterilized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-holden/come-and-let-the-healing-cleansing-rays-of-calvary-play-upon-your/)

[Stuart Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-holden/)

> [“Taking it step by step, we break down the iron clad wall of unworthiness so we can let the healing in.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-aman/taking-it-step-by-step-we-break-down-the-iron-clad-wall-of/)

[Jodi Aman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-aman/)

> [“Trauma is personal. It does not disappear if it is not validated. When it is ignored or invalidated the silent screams continue internally heard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-bernock/trauma-is-personal-it-does-not-disappear-if-it-is-not-validated-when-2/)

[Danielle Bernock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-bernock/)

> [The reason people lose their healing is because they begin questioning if God really did it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benny-hinn/the-reason-people-lose-their-healing-is-because-they-begin/)

[Benny Hinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benny-hinn/)

> [Before every session, I take a moment to remember my humanity. There is no experience that this man has that I cannot share with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-naomi-remen/before-every-session-i-take-a-moment-to-remember-my-humanity-there-is/)

[Rachel Naomi Remen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-naomi-remen/)

> [“Sometimes... Reason and Love are met with a violent ignorance that even what's right gets lost. Our heart bleeds, but when does the blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solange-nicole/sometimes-reason-and-love-are-met-with-a-violent-ignorance-that-even/)

[Solange nicole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solange-nicole/)

> [“Sometimes, there comes a time when the universe just wants you to find all the love that you deserve inside the saddest parts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juansen-dizon/sometimes-there-comes-a-time-when-the-universe-just-wants-you-to-find/)

[Juansen Dizon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juansen-dizon/)

> [If we can make the correct diagnosis, the healing can begin. If we can't, both our personal health and our economy are doomed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/if-we-can-make-the-correct-diagnosis-the-healing-can-begin-if-we-can/)

[Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/)

> [To heal will require real effort, and a change of heart, from all of us. To heal means that we will begin to look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-peltier/to-heal-will-require-real-effort-and-a-change-of-heart-from-all-of-us/)

[Leonard Peltier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-peltier/)

> [When you died I didn't weep nor dream but knew you like a god breathe in each healing we begin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olga-broumas/when-you-died-i-didn-t-weep-nor-dream-but-knew-you-like-a-god-breathe/)

[Olga Broumas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olga-broumas/)

> [There is so much division in this world. So what is really the path of healing? It can begin in this moment, by embracing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/there-is-so-much-division-in-this-world-so-what-is-really-the-path-of/)

[Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/)

> [Once you learn what the disease or physical block has to teach you and finally let go of the emotional issues stored in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-bays/once-you-learn-what-the-disease-or-physical-block-has-to-teach-you/)

[Brandon Bays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-bays/)

> [The Divine Spirit does not reside in any except the joyful heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-talmud/the-divine-spirit-does-not-reside-in-any-except-the-joyful-heart/)

[The Talmud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-talmud/)

## More by Mariska Hargitay

> [You survived the abuse, you’re going to survive the recovery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/you-survived-the-abuse-you-re-going-to-survive-the-recovery/)

[Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/)

> [I think God runs the show. Completely. Life proves it every day: He runs the show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/i-think-god-runs-the-show-completely-life-proves-it-every-day-he-runs/)

[Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/)

> [It's very difficult leaving the house anytime with my baby at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/it-s-very-difficult-leaving-the-house-anytime-with-my-baby-at-home/)

[Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/)

> [Sexual assault and domestic violence are difficult things to talk about. Talk about them anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/sexual-assault-and-domestic-violence-are-difficult-things-to-talk/)

[Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/)

> [Humor is about perspective, and hanging out with people who see life through a similar lens is so important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/humor-is-about-perspective-and-hanging-out-with-people-who-see-life/)

[Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/)

> [I have a more developed sense of my priorities. Life has so much more meaning now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/i-have-a-more-developed-sense-of-my-priorities-life-has-so-much-more/)

[Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/)

> [I have a nest egg, and I don't buy above my means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/i-have-a-nest-egg-and-i-don-t-buy-above-my-means/)

[Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/)

> [Being fearless means busting down those walls of fear and being who you are, not who someone else thinks you are. People like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/being-fearless-means-busting-down-those-walls-of-fear-and-being-who/)

[Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/)

> [In life you have two choices. You can laugh or you can cry. You have to laugh, you have to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/in-life-you-have-two-choices-you-can-laugh-or-you-can-cry-you-have-to/)

[Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/)

> [Golf made me feel like a loser. So I dismissed it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/golf-made-me-feel-like-a-loser-so-i-dismissed-it/)

[Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/)

> [Fifty years ago my Mother stood on this stage accepting this award; She was fortunate enough to have my Dad with her. Fifty years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/fifty-years-ago-my-mother-stood-on-this-stage-accepting-this-award/)

[Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/)

> [If I can play a little part in the world's healing, and making it a better place than when I came, then I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/if-i-can-play-a-little-part-in-the-world-s-healing-and-making-it-a/)

[Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/)

> [I think one of the mistakes actors make is we're so focused on what we're going to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/i-think-one-of-the-mistakes-actors-make-is-we-re-so-focused-on-what/)

[Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/)

> [You should've seen my big hair in the 80's, that was a real project.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/you-should-ve-seen-my-big-hair-in-the-80-s-that-was-a-real-project/)

[Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/)

> [There's so much that you can get mad about. Out of self-preservation, I focus on being grateful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/there-s-so-much-that-you-can-get-mad-about-out-of-self-preservation-i/)

[Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/)

[Explore all 102 Mariska Hargitay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/)

## More Healing quotes

> [The goal of spiritual practice is full recovery, and the only thing you need to recover from is a fractured sense of self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-goal-of-spiritual-practice-is-full-recovery-and-the-only-thing/)

[Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/)

> [I am told many children block out the memory of trauma. In fact, the healing process can only truly begin when we are willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-stone/i-am-told-many-children-block-out-the-memory-of-trauma-in-fact-the/)

[Phoebe Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-stone/)

> [We're on the road 300 days a year. There's no recovery time. It's a test of your physical and mental endurance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-phoenix/we-re-on-the-road-300-days-a-year-there-s-no-recovery-time-it-s-a/)

[Beth Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-phoenix/)

> [During the last 17 years... I have been working at the restoration of a once exhausted hillside. Its scars are now healed over, though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/during-the-last-17-years-i-have-been-working-at-the-restoration-of-a/)

[Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/)

> [“SILENT LIKE SLEEP You appear by my side, silent like sleep. Soft hair, a little wild. No fear, gentle like a calm river. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-goddard/silent-like-sleep-you-appear-by-my-side-silent-like-sleep-soft-hair-a/)

[Donna Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-goddard/)

> [It is natural that our minds replay old stories, because that is our own mechanism for trying to work out unresolved problems. Yet rerunning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/it-is-natural-that-our-minds-replay-old-stories-because-that-is-our/)

[Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/)

> [“Don’t waste your time trying to explain yourself to people that are committed to misunderstanding you. Instead, commit your time to explaining who they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/don-t-waste-your-time-trying-to-explain-yourself-to-people-that-are/)

[Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/)

> [“One of the most outstanding aspects of Ayurveda is its teaching that nothing is absolute. The utility, value and effect of anything is relative.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/om-swami/one-of-the-most-outstanding-aspects-of-ayurveda-is-its-teaching-that/)

[Om Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/om-swami/)

> [“Good morning,” one of the soldiers said. “I’m Captain Joseph Walker and this is Sergeant James Vanetten. We are members of the One-Hundred-and-First Airborne…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shafter-bailey/good-morning-one-of-the-soldiers-said-i-m-captain-joseph-walker-and/)

[Shafter Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shafter-bailey/)

> [“It is not so much about fighting against the ego; it is more about harmonizing with it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-sara/it-is-not-so-much-about-fighting-against-the-ego-it-is-more-about/)

[Grace Sara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-sara/)

> [“The sole reason I stand to open it up now is that lots of people who are in pain just like I was, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-dsouza/the-sole-reason-i-stand-to-open-it-up-now-is-that-lots-of-people-who/)

[Patricia Dsouza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-dsouza/)

> [“While trauma keeps us dumbfounded, the path out of it is paved with words, carefully assembled, piece by piece, until the whole story can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bessel-a-van-der-kolk/while-trauma-keeps-us-dumbfounded-the-path-out-of-it-is-paved-with/)

[Bessel A. van der Kolk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bessel-a-van-der-kolk/)

> [My identity shifted when I got into # recovery . That's who I am now, and it actually gives me greater pleasure to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-clapton/my-identity-shifted-when-i-got-into-recovery-that-s-who-i-am-now-and/)

[Eric Clapton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-clapton/)

> [The time has come to turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America - our country is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-time-has-come-to-turn-to-god-and-reassert-our-trust-in-him-for/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [“I’ve always seen this in you, ever since you were a little girl — this hunger to love other people into their highest selves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-elisabeth/i-ve-always-seen-this-in-you-ever-since-you-were-a-little-girl-this/)

[Jennifer Elisabeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-elisabeth/)

[Browse all 4,986 Healing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/healing/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "When people are abused and assaulted, it is like the doors to their souls slam shut. The goal of Joyful Heart is to let the light, and the life, back in--to banish the darkness and let the healing begin.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Mariska Hargitay"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/when-people-are-abused-and-assaulted-it-is-like-the-doors-to-their/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Healing"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/when-people-are-abused-and-assaulted-it-is-like-the-doors-to-their/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d89/mariska-hargitay-5252_joyful-heart_when-people-are-abused-and-assaulted-it_1268073.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d89/mariska-hargitay-5252_joyful-heart_when-people-are-abused-and-assaulted-it_1268073.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d89/mariska-hargitay-5252_joyful-heart_when-people-are-abused-and-assaulted-it_1268073.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When people are abused and assaulted, it is like the doors to their souls slam shut. The goal of Joyful…” — Mariska Hargitay",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Mariska Hargitay",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "When people are abused and assaulted,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/when-people-are-abused-and-assaulted-it-is-like-the-doors-to-their/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/when-people-are-abused-and-assaulted-it-is-like-the-doors-to-their/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
