Law Order Special Victims Unit -

Disclaimer: This write-up is for informational and viewing guidance purposes. The show is a fictional drama and should not be used as a substitute for legal or medical advice. If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault, contact RAINN at 800-656-HOPE.

What Is It? Law & Order: SVU is an American police procedural and legal drama that premiered in 1999. It is the first successful spin-off of the original Law & Order . The show follows a specialized squad of NYPD detectives who investigate "sexually based offenses"—crimes like sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, and human trafficking. The second half of each episode typically follows the prosecution of the case by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. law order special victims unit