The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) has concluded that appropriate encouragement, competent handling, and caring followup of reports made by young people can reduce both initial and repeat victimization. To this end, the NCPC has developed a handbook to increase the effectiveness of individuals who deal with situations in which young people report or should be reporting crime. The handbook provides information on conditions that encourage appropriate reporting by children, young people's views of trusted adults, effective ways of taking reports from children, what can be done to protect the child after a report is made, parental involvement, and education of young people on reasons for and ways of reporting crime. The handbook contains sections that deal with young people as victims and witnesses, childhood development, crime circumstances and crime reporting, reporting obligations of law enforcement and other professionals, procedures involved in taking reports, cultural sensitivity, and guidance on how to teach children sound reporting practices. Resources available to assist children who are either victims or witnesses of crime are noted.