The current body of knowledge about victimization and survivor services tends to be fragmented, and the literature is typically organized around the nature of the act precipitating victimization. In order to understand the field of victimization, one must pursue information about crime victims, spouse abuse, child abuse and neglect, sexual assault, disaster, or special circumstances. To this end, the book is divided into two parts, victimization and survivor services. Victimization is regarded as a psychosocial process that begins with threatening risk factors and proceeds to actual harm and then recovery. Victimization is described as a personal and social problem. The author considers the extent of knowledge about and the etiology of victimization, effects of victimization, and special populations. In examining survivor services in the second part of the book, particular attention is paid to the need for comprehensive services, primary prevention, risk reduction and early intervention, crisis and initial intervention, recovery services, and advocacy. An appendix contains a list of national victim and survivor information centers. References and tables