The introduction notes that rights described in this guidebook extend beyond those defined in the Massachusetts Victim Bill of Rights to include other sources of rights, including state and federal laws, judicial decisions, administrative regulations of state agencies, and practices and procedures established by particular courts or District Attorneys' offices. The first chapter explains the roles of the crime victims, defendants, police, victim-witness advocates, prosecutors, and others involved in the prosecution process; the stages in criminal case processing; and the types of assistance available to victims from victim-witness advocates. Additional chapters detail post-conviction victim services, financial remedies for victims, issues related to the emotional trauma of being a crime victim, and services available to help victims deal with trauma and recovery. Glossary; excerpts of the Massachusetts Victim Bill of Rights; lists of state and national resource organizations; index; and lists of recommended readings on victims, homicide/bereavement, domestic assault, sexual assault, male sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, child abuse and neglect, elder abuse, and hate crimes