Current victim policies are limited almost by definition to those to whom the legal label of victim has been attached. Thus, they exclude many and perhaps most victims. Those claiming to represent and speak on behalf of victims have given the impression that concern for crime victims invariably requires harsh, punitive criminal justice policies. However, healing, recovery, redress, and prevention of future victimization are the primary objectives of most crime victims. These objectives make it easy to understand how and why the restorative system based on mediation, reconciliation, restitution, and compensation succeeds where the punishment system fails. The properly handled mediation process can be effective in activating any sympathy, empathy, and compassion offenders have beneath their cruel and indifferent facades. The mediation situation can also provide helpful effects on the victim. The interests of both victims and society are best served in the long run by humanity, empathy, compassion, tolerance, and forgiveness and by the development of conciliatory and forgiving communities rather than hostile and vengeful ones. Therefore, the main goal of both victim policy and victim services should be constructive healing rather than destructive punishment. 61 references