The Baltimore State's Attorney's Office on Friday announced the formation of a "special victims unit" to prosecute cases similar to those seen on the "Law & Order: SVU" crime drama of the same name. Baltimore's SVU, which combines the city's family violence and sex offense divisions, will focus on crimes of violence - including sexual assault and abuse, domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking - against "women, children, vulnerable adults and other victims of sexual assault and domestic violence," according to the prosecutor's office. "These are extremely important cases that involve victims with unique needs. We hope and expect that this reorganization will produce better outcomes both in court and for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence," State's Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein said in a statement. He appointed Assistant State's Attorney Lisa Phelps, who joined the office in 1998 as a law clerk and became a prosecutor there in 2001, to run the new unit. Phelps has handled firearms and homicide cases for the city.