Although academic writings on crime victims began showing up in popular research in the 1920s, the practice of victim assistance by victim assistance programs and community centers did get started until the 1970s. At that time, practitioners attempting to run such programming realized that the academic discipline was not organized but was rather a mishmash of medical doctors, ministers, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, counselors, and volunteers with varying degrees of training. Today, the field of victim assistance has changed and is a major career field for persons wanting to help victims. The key concepts in victimology are defined and the definition and theoretical problems inherent in eradicating the abuse of power (AOP) are discussed. Next, the author turns to a discussion of research in the field of victimology, cautioning researchers to use more evaluative research on organizational responses to victims and programs designed to help victims cope. The importance of limiting descriptive research on victims is underscored. Future directions for victimology, including promising new practices involving all facets of the criminal justice system are reviewed before the author closes with some recommendations for improving victimology both internationally and nationally.