When "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" season 18 returns to the small screen with episode 7, "Bad Rap," Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and the team will deal with "one of the most sensitive issues of our time."
A transgender student appears to have been assaulted by a record label chief executive named Vincent Love (guest star Wyclef Jean) and his apprentice, Hype (guest star Mitchell Edwards), which is something that Benson cannot wrap her head around.
"This is a hate crime," Benson said in the "Law and Order: SVU" season 18 episode 7 promo after she realizes what happened and learns the identity of the victim. "It's 2016 for god's sakes," she went on to say, showing her disdain for such incidents.
The injuries of the victim (to be played by transgender model Sabel Gonzales) were so serious she needed urgent medical attention. As shown in the promo, she was hospitalized after the attack.
From the looks of it, the perpetrators showed no mercy in beating up the victim. According to the promo, the upcoming episode will leave fans guessing.
"Law and Order: SVU" is known for featuring stories ripped from the headlines, and this episode will not be any different. Transphobic violence is not entirely new.
Hate crime reports have actually been on the rise. In the United Kingdom, the number of cases blew up 170 percent from 2011 to 2015. There remain a lot of such cases this year.
Of course, fans of "Law and Order: SVU" know this is just one of the many issues that the show puts a spotlight on. More installments inspired from real-life events will also be featured in season 18.
A Donald Trump-inspired episode titled "Unstoppable" will be aired after the United States presidential elections. It was supposed to air much earlier than that, but NBC decided against it after raising some eyebrows.
The controversial "Law and Order: SVU" season 18 episode will feature Emmy-nominated actor Gary Cole as the politician being accused of sexual assault.
The delay comes in the midst of the issue about the leaked audio Republican presidential candidate making graphic comments about women.
"Law and Order: SVU" season 18 episode 7, "Bad Rap," airs on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.
