Olivia Benson

Captain Olivia Benson is the commanding officer of the Manhattan Special Victims Unit since 2019. She joined SVU in May 1998 as a Detective, reported to Captain Donald Cragen, and was partnered with Elliot Stabler until his resignation in 2011. She was then partnered with Nick Amaro until her promotion to Sergeant. In 2015, she was promoted to Lieutenant and in 2019, she was promoted to Captain by William Dodds. Benson is deeply sympathetic when it comes to dealing with victims of sex crimes and as a result, she is often quick to believe victims stories. Benson's ability to sympathize with victims is a tremendous asset, but there are times when rapists and criminals target her. In 2008, she went undercover as an inmate in a female prison to catch a serial rapist. However, she was sexually assaulted and almost raped and murdered by Lowell Harris, a corrections officer. As a result, she struggled with severe PTSD and seeked counselling which helped her cope. In 2013, she was kidnapped and tortured by William Lewis, a serial rapist and serial killer. Lewis makes her watch while he tortures several people and makes her drink alcohol forcibly. However, just before he is about to rape her, Benson breaks free and beats Lewis will a metal pole while he is handcuffed to the bed. She was eventually rescued and Cragen puts her on mandatory leave. During the trial against William Lewis, Benson perjures herself and claims that Lewis broke free of the handcuffs and attempted to assault her and she beat him in self-defense. As a result, Lewis escapes from prison and targets Benson. He then kidnaps Benson, tortures her and holds her hostage while making her play Russian Roulette with him which leads to his suicide. Benson continues to be haunted by the experience but doesn't let it get in the way during cases.