Gavin-Keith Umeh

In the season 16 premiere, Sergeant Benson (Hargitay) juggles work and her new role as foster mother to baby Noah Porter. Amaro (Pino), now working the traffic beat in Queens, arrests an underage prostitute with connections to Noah’s mother Ellie, who was “greenlit” by her pimp and brutally murdered. Amaro’s undercover work sets off a chain of events that puts everyone connected to the case - even baby Noah - in danger. Meanwhile, a new detective assigned to Manhattan SVU (guest star Peter Scanavino) starts off on the wrong foot.

A man in custody at a mental hospital claims to have witnessed a rape in a break room. Despite the witness' shaky credibility the SVU begins an investigation, but the alleged victim, Gia Eskas (guest star Lyonne), denies being assaulted. Detectives Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Rollins (Kelli Giddish) struggle to piece together what really happened to this young woman, especially when her aunt (guest star Preston) and mother say Gia has been repeatedly institutionalized, and has cried rape in the past. Also starring Ice-T (Detective Odafin Tutuola), Richard Belzer (Sergeant John Munch) and Danny Pino (Detective Nick Amaro).

When a popular fighter doesn't show up for the biggest bout of the year, Rollins and Velasco are drawn into a complicated web of secrets. McGrath confides in Benson.

Amaro's (Danny Pino) recklessness once again makes him the target of Internal Affairs, and he has no choice but to face the consequences. With his professional and personal life at risk, he looks to his friend John Munch (Belzer) for advice. Meanwhile, an online ad for escorts leads to the rape and robbery of several male tourists, and one of the suspects has a surprising connection to Sergeant Benson (Mariska Hargitay) that may change her life forever.

After Danny witnesses a murder by a drug lord with a history of intimidating witnesses, a member of his family is put in jeopardy in an attempt to keep him from testifying.