Law & Order: SVU Season 19 Episode 18 focuses on domestic violence and the lengths women may go to to protect themselves and their children.

When Jules Hunter and her daughter Ruby disappear, they are presumed kidnapped and murdered. Evidence quickly mounts up against Jules' husband, Nick, including Jules' sister saying that Nick joked he'd be better off if Jules were dead. There is not enough evidence to hold him, but Stone orders him arrested anyway in order to get him to talk.

Nick is beat up in jail and sues the police department. Meanwhile, the investigation leads Benson to discover that Jules is not dead at all -- in fact, Benson's old friend Alex Cabot helped her fake her death so she could hide her and Ruby. Cabot says that Nick was abusing Jules and this was the only way to keep her and Ruby safe, but Benson isn't sure.

During a deposition, Benson is forced to admit Jules is alive. Cabot wants to run away but Benson insists on doing this the legal way and they go to court to try to get sole custody of Ruby in a divorce proceeding.

Cabot seems to be winning the case and is excited by that, but then Benson gets bad news. When Jules is killed, Cabot is furious at Benson and at the system.

To find out whether Benson is able to make Nick pay for his crimes, watch Law & Order: SVU Season 19 Episode 18 online.