While primitive law allowed victims to act in retribution for offenses against them, in modern times the state has assumed the responsibility of meting out justice. To limit the power of the state, various professional services have evolved to protect offenders' rights and assist in their rehabilitation. The result has been a neglect of the needs and rights of victims. Particularly since the 1970's significant victimological research, publishing, and symposia on victimology have started taking place. Theoretical studies have sought to identify a victim typology, groups at risk (i.e., the elderly), the psychological effects of victimization, and its statistical occurrence (U.S. victimization surveys). Victim services have emerged in the forms of medical first aid, crisis intervention, and legal and financial assistance. Crisis intervention methods are based on awareness of the various individual psychological responses that victimization elicits. Probation and parole workers are directly affected by victimology in their rehabilitation work with offenders, particularly through restitution programs. Emphasis on making good the damage from the crime does justice to the victim and spares the offender institutional sanctions, lightening criminal justice processing as well as offender reintegration. A total of 53 references are given.