Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (also known as Law & Order: SVU, or SVU) is an American drama television series about the Special Victims Unit in the fictitious 16th Precinct of the New York City Police Department. The show debuted in 1999 as a spin-off of the crime drama Law & Order and follows the same opening style of its parent. SVU is currently the highest rated series of the Law & Order franchise, and is one of NBC's top rated shows. The Law & Order franchise also includes two other series dramas: the original Law & Order, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

Season 9 premiered on September 252007.