SVU Takes on Rape in Congo

Wednesday’s episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit will take on an issue all-too-rarely addressed in prime time: the mass wartime rape of women in the Congo, which was called a "sexual massacre" and "sexual terrorism" by speakers at The Daily Beast's Women in the World summit last weekend. "The rampant rape of women and girls in Congo is one of the most despicable human rights violations occurring in the world today,” a show producer said. “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit brings one woman's inspiring story of survival to audiences who may not be familiar with the plight of millions of victims who are struggling every day to survive unbearable brutality." The episode, titled “Witness,” tells the story of refugee who witnesses a rape and fears she will be deported to Congo, where she would likely again face sexual violence herself. The team must protect her. The show airs tonight, March 17 at 10 p.m. eastern time on NBC.