Some 50 victimization surveys have been conducted in the Scandinavian countries with the most extensive victimization studies being done in Sweden and Finland. Regarding living conditions in Scandinavia, there has been a narrowing of the divergence in living standards, family conditions, health, and security among the countries. Victimization statistics show an increase in violent crimes and property crimes over the last decades in the Nordic countries. Sweden and Denmark have the highest victimization rates over the period 1970-81, with Finland and Norway having a significantly lower victimization rate. The number of people reporting fear of violent crime is much higher than the number of those who have been victims of violence. Violent victimization has been stable over a 12-year period according to victimization surveys, although police statistics show an increase over this period. Victimization survey data indicate that the increased reporting of violent crime to police over this period explains the discrepancy between survey and police statistics. The surveys indicate victim dissatisfaction with their involvement in case processing and the compensation they receive. 5 tables, 1 figure, and 11 references