The effects of criminal victimization are described and illustrated in a case study, and local, State, and Federal laws and programs providing assistance to victims are discussed. A crisis model of the personal and familial effects of crime on the victim is provided, and the stages of crisis reaction are outlined. The impact of specific crimes such as burglary, robbery, rape, and homicide are presented. The role of neighbors in helping victims deal with the aftermath of crime is described, including helping behaviors appropriate to each stage of the crisis reaction. The role of neighbors as providers of information on victim programs and rights and court procedures then is examined, together with the special needs of child and domestic and elderly abuse victims. Issues in designing and implementing a Neighborhood Watch Victim Assistance Program are addressed, and a training guide and evaluation for neighbors is provided. A sample brochure is appended. 36-item annotated bibliography.