“In the criminal justice system, sexually based crimes are considered particularly heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious crimes are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit…” This short monologue is the opening of Dick Wolf's fictional television show, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. This show follows the detectives of the 16th precinct in Manhattan, New York City, through their lives and the cases they work on day in and day out. In this unit, it is Detective Olivia Benson who has inspired me with her dedication and strength to her work and the real-life connections that have been made by this character. Mariska Hargitay, the actress behind Benson, says that Olivia is "an empathetic woman who can respond emotionally to victims..." As a character, Olivia Benson spent more than fifteen years in the Special Victims Unit solving sex crimes and crimes involving children and the elderly Most detectives in a typical Special Victims Unit spend on average no more than four or five years at SVU due to the "heinous" nature of the crimes they face every day triple the average time someone spends in the unit that has become the “1-6”. Every victim she faces becomes someone she is willing to do anything for. No matter what, her goal is to help the person who needs it , whether it's answering her phone calls and text messages at all hours, leaving everything to be by her side, or referring her to a doctor to assist her in coping and coping with continuing with their life. It's obvious to every person she helps that she truly wants to be there and that she cares... middle of paper...... Watching this show and the character's development over the years, I've learned a lot of things. You never know what the person you're talking to has been through; if their life was easy and privileged or if they had to fight for everything they have. It is important and worthwhile to make an effort and help everyone you can in any way you can. Olivia Benson is a strong, committed woman on a fictional TV show who has managed to make real-life connections and inspire many people, including me. Works Cited Derfler, Jessica, John Griffin, and Lila Nejad, thought-provoking. “Mariska Hargitay.” AND! The true story of Hollywood. AND! Los Angeles, California, April 18, 2008. Television. "Joyful Heart Foundation". Joyful Heart Foundation. Network. October 10, 2013. "Mariska Hargitay | Detective Olivia Benson." Mariska Hargitay Biography. National broadcasting company. Network. December 11. 2013.