ADA Barba finds that a friend -- with a connection to a mayoral candidate front runner -- is accused of rape.

The already frantic search for a missing diabetic boy becomes more urgent when he is spotted with a couple known for child endangerment and pornography.

A columnist who has been given access to the squad for a story declares a hate crime case a hoax, leaving the victim under media scrutiny and Benson fighting to get the case back on solid ground.

A serial rapist strikes in several cities where the rape kit backlog stalls the investigation.

A malnourished toddler is found wandering and leads police to another ill child from the same home. The investigation eventually lands the Department of Child Services in hot water. Meanwhile, Chief Dodds tells Benson to expect some changes at her squad.

An unarmed black man is shot by three police officers who claim they were following proper procedure while pursuing a rape suspect. As racial tensions mount throughout the city, Barba indicts the three cops.

Two high-profile suspects are arrested in the takedown of an online pedophile ring following a sting operation.