Note: While the TV show Law & Order: SVU popularized the unit, this content focuses on the real-life NYPD division. 1. Overview & Mission The NYPD Special Victims Division (SVD) is a bureau within the New York City Police Department dedicated to investigating crimes involving sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking, and missing persons where foul play is suspected. Its primary mission is to provide trauma-informed, victim-centered investigations while securing justice for those who have experienced some of the most intimate and violent crimes.