The introductory chapter reviews the background research and defines pertinent concepts, followed by a chapter on the development and operation of the interagency council, which consists of organizations or agencies with major responsibilities for responding to crime and the expressed commitment to implementing victim-centered protocol. The next chapter provides an overview of the Protocol Development Cycle and its eight steps. The eight steps are an inventory of existing services, the victim experience survey, community needs assessment, writing the protocol, renewal of interagency agreements, training, monitoring, and evaluation. Each of the subsequent chapters focuses on the planning and implementation of each of these eight steps. The book notes that the term "cycle" indicates that once the eight steps are completed, they are repeated. The development of protocol is a cyclical process, with the results of each completed cycle used during the next cycle as the basis for making adjustments to the protocol. This is important because as new developments become available -- statutory changes, scientific advances for evidence collection, information system technology, or additional services available for referrals -- they should be considered for incorporation into the protocol. Appended supplements for implementing the protocol and a subject index