An overview of victimological research first discusses the issues and problems in victim-related research at the Max-Planck-Institute-Points of Departure. This is followed by a selection of problems and results from research on victimization and related topics in the Federal Republic of Germany. A series of papers on victimology research in specific countries covers the former German Democratic Republic, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Greece, the USSR, Israel, Africa, and Japan. In the section of the book on victim surveys, eight papers discuss the backgrounds, methodology, and uses of victimization surveys in various countries including West Germany, Great Britain, Finland, Switzerland, and Japan. Another eight papers in this section focus on data obtained on particular topics in the victimization surveys of various countries. Topics include the fear of crime, victim characteristics, public attitudes and public attitudes toward the criminal justice system. Chapter references and data