The SVU probes a reality dating show contestant's rape claim in the upcoming episode 21, titled "Assaulting Reality," of the 17th season of the police procedural and legal drama "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU)."

The producers of a reality dating show make SVU commanding officer and her team be a part of the show so they can look into one of the contestants', Melanie, claim of being raped.

The first sneak preview for "Assaulting Reality" shows Amanda and Dominic visiting the set of the said reality show to ask Melanie about the rape claim. When they enter the set, one of the producers approaches the two officers and tells them that there is nothing to worry about since the show is just heavily scripted. However, Amanda and Dominic insist that they would like to hear that statement directly from Melanie.

Melanie reveals that she wasn't sure if she was raped since she does not remember the events after her date with Ryan. She explains that when she woke up, she found her panties on the floor and felt sore, which led her to suspect that she was raped. However, the executive producers tell her that the incident was not rape because she was the one who confessed to Ryan to lose her virginity with him eventually.

In the second sneak preview, Benson, Fin, and Dominic meet the two executive producers of the show who felt disturbed by the rape allegations. They tell the SVU team that if the incident was not consensual they would not have gone as far as a police investigation. The producers insist that Melanie is just being sensitive and dramatic, especially because she's a small town girl. Melanie's cry for help, the producers suggest, could be her move after Ryan picked the other contestant over her.

"Law & Order: SVU" season 17 airs every Wednesday at 9 p.m. on NBC.