Marisa has never achieved the success of her mother, a famous figure in the art world. And that's led her on a monumental search for new artistic outlets (as well as quite a few hours spent on the therapist's couch). But when she meets Paul, a shy neighbor who's having the same problems, it could be love at first sight. Or maybe just a case of misery loving a little company.

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.

In cases ripped from the headlines, police investigate serious and often deadly crimes, weighing the evidence and questioning the suspects until someone is taken into custody. The district attorney's office then builds a case to convict the perpetrator by proving the person guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Working together, these expert teams navigate all sides of the complex criminal justice system to make New York a safer place.