Study subjects were persons victimized by violent crimes reported to the police from January 1979 in Coventry and April 1979 in Northampton through July 1980. Subjects were interviewed as soon as possible after the report to the police, after committal proceedings (if the case was committed from the magistrates' court to the crown court), after the case outcome, and after the result of any application or award of compensation. Victims' feelings and needs were ignored by many of the professionals, and victims had no clearly defined role to play in case processing. Compensation schemes often failed to meet victim needs. Overall, system assumptions about victim needs< did not match victims' expectations of the system. The proposal for victim-oriented case processing advocates the development of a clearly defined plan for victim participation. Recommendations for improvement cover the provision of information for victims, investigation and prosecution, victim compensation, and victim support services. 87 references and subject index.