In Canada, the Federal Government launched the Justice for Victims of Crime Initiative and spent money trying to prompt a relatively inert 'private sector' into organizing itself. Victims support evolved under the management of officials and is a complement to established organizations, changing them as it evolves. In England and Wales, a rapidly expanding National Association of Victims Support Schemes repeatedly petitioned an apparently unresponsive government for funding. Victim support schemes were robust and independent before the government was moved to act, and they constitute a new organization with its own vision. When offered support, the character of victims support was set. Federal and central governments display important differences in their style, rate and structure of policymaking. It is those differences which explain some of the contrasts in the social organization of relief for crime victims. 24 references. (Author abstract modified)