The text is intended as a self-help guide and a reference. It explains what the justice system expects from crime victims and how assistance to crime victims works. It emphasizes that many legal situations are straightforward, but that victims should consult an attorney if they believe that they might need further guidance. Individual sections explain how to report the crime, how to seek medical and emotional help, and how to protect the victim's privacy. Additional sections focus on police investigations, the arrest of the perpetrator, filing charges, protecting the victim and family from harassment, testifying at trial and sentencing, filing and pursuing a lawsuit against the criminal and potential third parties, and obtaining crime victim compensation. Case examples; charts; index; reference notes; order form; and appended sample letters and forms, information about State laws on crime victims, information about legal research, and addresses and telephone numbers of resource organizations