In the victim assistance movement's development from a grassroots stage through the early phases of institutionalization, important outcome data have been neglected. The issues of survival and nature of the movement's purpose have had a determining effect upon what has been researched. The implications of public, and particularly LEAA, monies has further directed the nature of the questions that have been asked. In the future, attention to the following areas would aid in the evaluation of victim assistance program: (1) more detailed identification of victim responses to violence, (2) measurement of the effect of services on various victim types, (3) assessment of the quality of brokered services, (4) assessment of crisis intervention services, and (5) assessment of administration activities. The victim service movement faces some serious difficulties in the next several years that will determine whether and in what form it will survive. The obtaining of operating money will be its greatest problem. This may determine what little will be done to answer many important questions about what it has accomplished. Ironically, such information is necessary to provide reasons for its continuing. One chart is included.