Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 1 day ago
SVU premiere addressed consent laws before Cornell case drew headlines
The season premiere of Law & Order: SVU aired on Oct.
9 and follows a woman who says three men raped her after she passed out from drinking.
The story was written and filmed in July, before headlines about a case at Cornell University in September.
In the episode, the woman struggles to remember the night, and detectives face a difficult case under a New York law that allows people who chose to drink to be considered capable of consent.
The first trial ends in a mistrial, and the woman declines to take part in another trial after being questioned about her drinking and memory.
Mariska Hargitay, who plays Olivia Benson, said the episode highlights how survivors can struggle to get justice and face blame for drinking.
She said 19 states, including New York, have a voluntary intoxication loophole.
Hargitay said she hopes to raise awareness of the issue and help close the loophole in New York and elsewhere.
The “Law & Order: SVU” season premiere addressed how New York law treats consent when someone is heavily intoxicated.
Mariska Hargitay said the episode was written and filmed in July, before headlines about a case at Cornell University emerged in September.
The episode follows Emily, who believes three men raped her after she passed out from drinking, and struggles to recall details.
A first trial ends in a mistrial, and Emily declines to take part in another trial.
Hargitay said the story highlights a legal loophole and the difficulty survivors face in seeking justice.
- Who
- Mariska Hargitay discussed the “Law & Order: SVU” premiere. The episode centers on Emily and her allegations against three men.
- What
- The premiere addressed consent laws involving people who are heavily intoxicated and the challenges survivors face in court.
- When
- The episode aired on Oct. 9. It was written and filmed in July, before the Cornell story drew national headlines in September.
- Where
- The episode is set in New York; Hargitay discussed it with The Hollywood Reporter.
- Why
- Hargitay said she wanted to raise awareness of New York’s voluntary-intoxication loophole and the difficulty survivors face in seeking justice.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This was written and shot in July, well before the Cornell story hit national headlines in September
there are 19 states — including New York — that have this loophole, which I find appalling
Nothing has changed. We’re 30 years in, and a jury gets to decide that if a woman drinks too much, she deserves to be raped. That is the problem.
The episode was written and filmed.
The Cornell story hit national headlines, according to Hargitay.
The “Law & Order: SVU” season premiere aired.
The Hollywood Reporter published its interview with Hargitay.
- Episode
- Volition
- Premiere date
- Oct. 9
- Cornell headlines
- September
- New York law
- The episode says overly intoxicated people can still give consent if they willingly chose to drink.
- States with loophole
- 19, including New York
Sources
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