Ep 19. Conversion

In Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 18 episode 19, "Conversion," detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and her team investigate the case of a teenage girl who claims to have been raped by her foster father. The girl, Cassidy (guest star Emily Jacobson), is a devout Christian who says that she was afraid to speak up about the abuse because her foster father threatened to take her younger sister away from her if she told anyone.

As the detectives investigate, they discover that Cassidy's foster father, a respected member of the Christian community named Reverend Curtis Scott (guest star Glenn Fleshler), has a history of sexual abuse allegations against him. However, the detectives soon learn that Scott is not the only one in the community covering up his crimes. As they dig deeper, they uncover a web of corruption and sexual abuse that extends far beyond Scott's church.

Meanwhile, ADA Barba (Raúl Esparza) wrestles with his own personal beliefs as he prosecutes the case. His Catholic upbringing conflicts with his duty to seek justice for the victims of sexual abuse, and he finds himself questioning his faith and his commitment to his job.

As the case unfolds, the detectives must navigate a complex web of politics, religion, and personal beliefs to bring justice to Cassidy and the other victims of sexual abuse. Along the way, they are forced to confront their own biases and prejudices, and to question the systems and beliefs that allow sexual abuse to go untreated and unpunished.

"Conversion" is a tense, emotional episode that tackles a sensitive and timely issue with sensitivity and nuance. It examines the complex nature of sexual abuse and the ways in which institutions and communities can protect abusers and silence victims. Despite the heavy subject matter, the episode also showcases the strength and resilience of the survivors and the detectives who fight for their rights and dignity.