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.

Fifteen New Yorkers go into a Friday night unaware of the fact that their lives are about to change.

Mary plots to escape the small provincial town from which she hails, only to find her path to freedom challenged at every turn.

An aspiring musician arrives home with plans for a hot date only to find her family's puppet show rehearsal might ruin her rock star image.