THERE HAS BEEN INCREASING CONCERN OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS ABOUT THE CRIME OF RAPE - WHAT IT IS, WHAT IT MEANS, WHETHER STATISTICS REFLECT ITS TRUE INCIDENCE, AND HOW RAPE VICTIMS ARE TREATED. THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES MANY OF THESE ISSUES, AND PROVIDES SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF RAPE, PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARDS RAPE, THE VICTIM'S NEEDS, LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN RAPE CASES, THE TYPICAL RESPONSE PATTERNS OF VICTIMS, AND THE FORMS OF THERAPY AVAILABLE TO THE RAPE VICTIM. THE EFFORTS MADE IN PASADENA TO AID THE RAPE VICTIM ARE THEN OUTLINED. A FOUR-AGENCY SERVICE NETWORK WAS ESTABLISHED, WHICH INCLUDED INPUT FROM THE PASADENA-FOOTHILL VALLEY YWCA, THE HUNTINGTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, THE FOOTHILL FAMILY SERVICE, AND THE PASADENA PLANNED PARENTHOOD ASSOCIATION. THIS NETWORK PROVIDES A HOT LINE SERVICE, MEDICAL TREATMENT OF RAPE VICTIMS, PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING, A VICTIM ADVOCATE PROGRAM, AND FOLLOW-UP TESTING FOR VENERAL DISEASE AND PREGNANCY. THE NETWORK ALSO PROVIDES PUBLIC EDUCATION CONCERNING RAPE AND SERVICES FOR RAPE VICTIMS. CASE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ARTICLE TO DEMONSTRATE THE PROCEDURES AND SERVICES OF THE NETWORK.