Evidence is presented supporting the thesis that provision of assistance to crime victims was not fully institutionalized in the U.S. until the efforts of the Federal administration under Reagan bore fruit in the form of Federal legislation, establishment of a Federal Office for Victims of Crime, and the exercise of federal leadership across the country on behalf of victims. It is argued that these developments were made possible by the existence of a growing victim movement at the State and local level. Resulting improvements in the administration of justice vis-a-vis victims and in the provision of services for victims include compensation to victims to help pay crime-related expenses, victim restitution, and assistance to victims in understanding and participating in the criminal justice process. Despite these developments, complicated challenges in the victims' arena include more specialized services for victims and the issue of premature release of offenders back into society enabling subsequent victimization. 1 table, 25 notes, and bibliography