SVU

Special Victims Unit (SVU) refers to a specialized unit within a police department tasked with investigating sexually based offenses and crimes involving vulnerable victims, such as children, older adults, or individuals with disabilities. SVUs typically handle cases involving rape, sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, and related crimes, conducting victim interviews, gathering forensic evidence, and coordinating with prosecutors to build cases for trial. In many jurisdictions, an SVU may include detectives, forensic interviewers, nurse examiners, and liaison officers who work with child protective services and prosecutors.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, commonly abbreviated SVU, is an American crime drama television series created by Dick Wolf. It premiered on NBC on September 20, 1999, as a spin-off of Law & Order, and centers on the investigations of the NYPD's Special Victims Unit into sexually based offenses and other crimes against victims. Led for many years by Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and her partners, the show focuses on investigative work as well as judicial proceedings. Produced by Wolf Films and Universal Television, SVU is part of the Law & Order franchise and has featured numerous crossovers with other series.

The series has been noted for its handling of sensitive topics and its longevity as a procedural drama. Mariska Hargitay won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2006 for SVU. As one of the longest-running live-action primetime series in U.S. television, SVU has had a lasting cultural impact and has inspired international adaptations and related projects within the Law & Order franchise.