AS ORIGINALLY CONCEIVED, OUR CRIMINAL LAW WAS DESIGNED TO ACCOMPLISH A VERY LIMITED BUT NECESSARY FUNCTION. THAT PURPOSE WAS, QUITE SIMPLY, TO PROTECT CITIZENS WHO CHOSE TO EXERCISE THEIR FREEDOM AND LIBERTY WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS IMPOSED BY LAW FROM CITIZENS WHO CHOSE NOT TO. THE NEED TO SECURE THE SAFETY, LIBERTY, AND PROPERTY OF LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF THE PRIMARY JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THE VERY EXISTENCE OF GOVERNMENT. THE RIGHT OF PERSONAL SECURITY FROM CRIMINAL AGGRESSION IS AN INHERENT AND INALIENABLE RIGHT. THE MANNER IN WHICH GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO PROTECT POTENTIAL VICTIMS OF CRIME AND THE WAY IT RESPONDS TO ACTUAL VICTIMS OF CRIME IS A MATTER OF RENEWED AND GROWING INTEREST. THE ARTICLES IN THIS ANTHOLOGY COVER TOPICS SUCH AS TRENDS IN AMERICAN VICTIM COMPENSATION LEGISLATION, THE VICTIM OMBUDSMAN, CHILD ABUSE, CRIME AND THE ELDERLY, RAPE AND OTHER CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN, REPEAT OFFENDER AND CAREER CRIMINAL PROGRAMS, VICTIM/WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, AND THE IMPACT OF CRIME ON MINORITIES BUSINESS, AND LABOR. THE COMMON DENOMINATOR OF THE ARTICLES IS A RECOGNITION OF THE NEED FOR CITIZENS AND INSTITUTIONS TO PLAY VITAL ROLES IN IMPROVING THE PLIGHT OF VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIMES AND TO RESTORE EFFECTIVENESS TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...MSP