Ep 19. Girl Dishonored

Detectives Olivia Benson, Amanda Rollins, and Nick Amaro investigate a case involving sexual assault at a prestigious New York City private school in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 14 episode 19, titled "Girl Dishonored."

When a 15-year-old girl, Sarah Walsh, is found beaten, disheveled, and unconscious in a school bathroom, the SVU team is called to investigate. As they dig deeper, they learn that Sarah was sexually assaulted by three of her male classmates who then posted a video of the attack online, cruelly sharing it with the school community. The video quickly goes viral, causing Sarah immense humiliation and shame.

As the detectives try to piece together the events leading up to the assault, they are met with resistance from the school's administration who are determined to keep the incident under wraps to protect the school's reputation. However, the detectives refuse to back down and soon uncover further evidence of the school's culture of toxic masculinity, misogyny, and bullying.

As the case unfolds, the detectives also learn that Sarah has a troubled home life, having recently lost her father and struggled to cope with her mother's alcoholism. This only adds to the trauma and emotional toll of the assault and its aftermath.

The episode also explores the impact of social media and its role in perpetuating harm and trauma. As the video circulates, Sarah's reputation and character are attacked by her peers, making her a target of cyberbullying.

As the detectives work tirelessly to bring justice to Sarah and hold her attackers accountable, they also provide her with emotional support and guidance. The episode highlights the importance of listening to and centering survivors' experiences.

"Girl Dishonored" is a gut-wrenching and timely episode that sheds light on the prevalence of sexual assault and bullying in high schools, and the devastating impact they can have on survivors. It also calls for accountability and responsibility from institutions that prioritize their reputation over the safety and well-being of their students.