The victimization of certain kinds of people as witches in Western Europe from 1400 to 1700 shows a premodern consciousness about victims. Recent categories of victims -- black Americans and sexually abused children -are also viewed. A sociologist outlines the operation of the criminal justice system and how it responds to crime victims. A political scientist evaluates various governmental attempts to provide restitution and compensation for crime victims, and a sociologist discusses special problems of rape victims and the social responses to these problems. A child development specialist identifies parents who abuse their children and suggests potential remedies, and a psychologist studies the motivations and social circumstances involved in ordinary bystander decisions to help -- or not to help -- perceived victims of harm. A philosopher analyzes what it means to be a victim and appraises the notion of 'blaming the victim.' Social and cultural arrangements that encourage victimization are also explored. Chapter references and an index are supplied. For individual articles, see NCJ 90232-37.