Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

In the criminal justice system,

sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous.

In New York City, the dedicated detectives

who investigate these vicious felonies

are members of an elite squad

known as the special victims unit.

These are their stories.

- $2.78 change. - Gracias.

Have a nice day.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Hold the door?

- Good catch. - No problem.

You look happy.

Sure, why not?

Thanks.

Don't scream.

Go.

Sit.

I'm Sarah.

Can I get you something to drink?

You got a beer?

Yeah, I think so.

Oh, that's my boyfriend.

- He might be coming over-- - Leave it.

Go on.

You a musician?

Yes, I could play something for you.

I have a test later. I should--

No.

Money.

I only have a few dollars of cash,

but we could go to an ATM--

I don't need your money.

Please don't kill me.

What do you want?

Take off your clothes.

In there.

Okay.

But you don't need your gun.

I will do anything that you want me to.

Take off your clothes.

Lay down.

Sarah?

Sarah?

What time was that?

Um, around 1:00.

This morning?

Uh, yesterday afternoon.

Oh, okay.

Can you tell me why you waited so long to report?

I had a jury at 4:00.

It's like a recital that gets graded.

And if I didn't go, I'd get--

I didn't yell.

I didn't fight back.

I mean, I didn't know if--

Sarah, you said that he had a gun.

It was rape.

You're alive.

You did what you had to do.

She's just a kid. What happened?

Sophomore at Manhattan Academy Of Music.

She was raped at gunpoint in her apartment yesterday.

Was there any outcry?

She showered right after and went to a piano recital.

And you're the only person she's told?

Great. You and Amaro can take her for a rape kit.

Well, actually, I'm still getting her to trust me.

Okay, keep it small.

I'll send Rollins and fin to the apartment with CSU.

Think you can get his DNA?

He used a condom and flushed it.

Good luck.

Almost done.

Next, I'll use a special instrument

that can take photos of any trauma.

Now, Sarah, you said that you gave him a beer?

It's on my coffee table.

I haven't moved it. It's in a plastic cup.

I thought that that might be better for DNA.

Actually, the bottle would've been better.

I'll remember that for next time.

I'm sorry. I-I wasn't thinking.

Yeah, it's fine.

Hi, Sarah?

I'm Jen, your crisis counselor.

Whoa, you can't just barge in here.

- I'm here to help. - Can you move toward me?

I'm sorry, but you're gonna feel a little pressure.

Okay.

Grab that cup off the table.

Let's go ahead and cut a sample from the mattress.

- This is the last tube. - You're doing great, Sarah.

Sarah, as your advocate,

I wanna make you aware that

one of your options is to not file charges--

- Excuse me? - You showered.

There's a lack of obvious physical violence.

Those cases can be difficult to prosecute.

They also give you a voice to say

that this is not okay and to demand justice.

Prosecution is emotionally grueling--

Jen, can I talk to you for a second outside?

Thank you.

What are you doing?

It's my job to ensure

the survivor knows everything about this process.

I don't sugarcoat.

And you've been a counselor for how long?

Yeah, you've been doing this longer.

But I have fresher eyes.

The reality is the system doesn't always work.

I understand that, but that girl has just been robbed

of all her power and all her humanity.

And your best advice is

pretend it never happened and walk away?

That's not--I meant--

It doesn't matter.

Jen says to call her if you want.

Thank you.

These reduce your risk of STDs and HIV.

This will prevent pregnancy.

Your choice.

I'll be right back.

Hepatitis B shots.

You okay?

Sarah, you're not alone.

I will be here

every step of the way.

They don't clean up when they're done?

Yeah.

Sarah, is there anyplace else that you might be able to stay?

Your parents or...

No, not a good idea.

They were against me moving out of the dorms,

especially into this neighborhood.

Okay.

This is a huge burden to bear, in my experience.

In your experience?

Until you've been raped,

you don't get--

I'm sorry.

I-I'm on edge.

I need some time.

Look, you have my number.

Call me?

Sarah?

Sorry.

Call me.

Thanks.

I'll be fine.

Low-grade image. And the time code's all wonky.

Look for twos. White girl, black guy.

She's carrying groceries.

There, that's her. Slow it down.

Seems like he's been on that elevator before.

He knows where the camera is.

They're almost friendly.

She said she's never seen him before.

That's why I hate elevators, you know?

No--no girl's gonna smile at some stranger

who tries to get into her car.

All right, get a screen grab.

Start sweeping the neighborhood.

Sarah?

You there? It's me.

Hey, babe.

Y-you still up for celebrating?

Not a good time.

Rain check?

What's going on?

Um... uh... uh, bedbugs.

The exterminator was just... here.

I would offer to help, but--

I know.

It's--it's okay. I get it.

Him?

Maybe. Yeah.

Hey! Hey.

NYPD! You, up against the wall.

- What? - You!

Shut up. Do what she says. You know the drill.

Is he your protection?

Turn around. Now.

Come on, man. Like, seriously, bro?

Yeah, seriously. Why don't y'all grab some too?

Here you go, sweetie.

God, I'm sorry. Um--

No problem.

It's okay.

He was just outside,

hanging out, and he smiled at me.

He headed north how long ago?

Five minutes?

Jefferson projects are just up Amsterdam.

Look, Sarah, keep your eyes open.

- There, that's him! - You sure?

I think so.

Yo, my man!

Hey. Conversation w-- Hey, hey!