Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

1999 • TV-14

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.

Content advisory

LGBTQ+ Characters/Relationships

Unrated — The show includes notable LGBTQ+ characters, both main and recurring, with storylines addressing LGBTQ+ issues as part of the broader narrative.

Language

moderate — Language includes moderate use of strong language, occasionally including mild profanity and some harsher words appropriate for adult crime drama.

Mature Themes

heavy — The series deals heavily with mature themes such as sexual abuse, trauma, death, mental illness, and moral complexity, often exploring the impact on victims, families, and law enforcement.

Scary/Intense Content

moderate — The show contains psychological horror elements and disturbing thematic content related to crime, including tense investigative scenes that can be unsettling for younger viewers.

Sexual Content & Nudity

heavy — Sexual content is a central theme, often focusing on sexual crimes and abuses; while explicit sexual acts are generally not shown on-screen, the subject matter is mature and disturbing with detailed discussions and implications.

Substance Use

mild — Substance use is occasionally referenced or briefly depicted, but it is neither a primary focus nor glamorized in the series.

Violence & Gore

moderate — The series contains moderate violence involving crime scenes, investigations of assaults, and occasional graphic depictions related to sexual offenses. Physical altercations, threats, and some injuries are shown but usually not excessively graphic.