A STUDY WAS CONDUCTED OF 146 VICTIMS WITH A COMPLAINT OF RAPE ADMITTED DURING A 1-YEAR PERIOD TO THE EMERGENCY WARD OF A LARGE MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL. THE VICTIMS WERE FOLLOWED FROM THEIR ADMISSION TO THE HOSPITAL THROUGH THE ENTIRE LEGAL PROCESS. THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE STUDY WAS TO DETERMINE WHETHER VICTIMIZATION CAN BE INCREASED BY THOSE INSTITUTIONS WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO HELP VICTIMS. THE MAIN SOURCES OF DATA WERE PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION AND INTERVIEWS WHEN THE VICTIM WAS ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL, WEEKLY FOLLOWUP INTERVIEWS ON THEIR EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS, AND PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION AND DISCUSSION AT THE COURTHOUSE. QUESTIONS ASKED AND SOME OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING THE VARIOUS STAGES OF THE PROCESS ARE DESCRIBED. THE FIRST STEPS A VICTIM FACES IN REPORTING THE CRIME, HER INITIAL CONTACT WITH POLICE, AND TYPICAL EXPERIENCES ENCOUNTERED DURING THIS STAGE ARE DISCUSSED. THE ATTITUDES AND CONCERNS OF POLICE OFFICERS TOWARD DIFFERENT RAPE VICTIMS, VARIOUS WAYS IN WHICH THEY HAVE HANDLED THE INITIAL INTERVIEW, AND SUMMARIES OF VICTIMS' REACTIONS TO THIS FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH THE POLICE ARE PRESENTED. THE DOUBLE ROLE OF THE HOSPITAL STAFF-- TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE AND TO COLLECT LEGAL EVIDENCE -- IS EXAMINED. VARIOUS ATTITUDES ON THE PART OF HOSPITAL STAFF WHICH HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED BY RAPE VICTIMS ARE DESCRIBED; THEY RANGE FROM PROFESSIONAL POLITENESS TO DISPARAGEMENT. STAFF PERCEPTIONS OF THE VICTIMS, AS WELL AS VICTIMS' PERCEPTIONS OF THE HOSPITAL AND THE TREATMENT THEY RECEIVED, ARE DISCUSSED. MANY OF THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY VICTIMS IN TAKING A CASE TO COURT; THE CROSS-PRESSURES PUT ON THEM TO PROSECUTE AND NOT TO PROSECUTE; DIFFERENT TYPES OF TREATMENT THEY RECEIVE FROM DISTRICT ATTORNEYS; THE LEGAL DELAYS AND FRUSTRATIONS; QUESTIONS THEY ARE ASKED DURING THE TRIAL; AND WAYS IN WHICH THEY ARE VIEWED BY JUDGES, JURIES, AND ATTORNEYS ALL VARY GREATLY FROM ONE CASE TO ANOTHER. BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF MANY DIFFERENT VICTIMS' EXPERIENCES ARE PRESENTED TO ILLUSTRATE THE WIDE DISCREPANCIES IN TREATMENT. AN ANALYSIS OF THE OUTCOMES OF THE COURT PROCESS PROVIDES DATA REGARDING CONVICTIONS AND ACQUITTALS OF DEFENDANTS AND FACTORS WHICH AFFECT CONVICTION RATES. THE AUTHORS SUGGEST THAT THE VICTIM LOSES, WHATEVER THE OUTCOME OF THE TRIAL. FINALLY, POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSE TO RAPE VICTIMS ARE OUTLINED. AN INDEX IS PROVIDED. (VDA)