The publication begins with a discussion of idiocide, (reduction or extinguishing of vital human powers), followed by an overview of victimization statistics and services. Subsequent papers define victims as survivors and present a public health approach to victim services. The impact, recoil, and reorganization stages through which a crime victim passes are next described. Injuries caused by helping persons, acute responses of terrorism victims, and responses of victims of violence are also discussed. Additional articles contrast the effects of natural disasters with those of human violence, examine the effects of prolonged stress, and describe the consequences of captivity. Further articles discuss integrated services for victims, the need for crisis intervention, and police-victim interactions. Specific programs described include restitution programs; the Pima County, Ariz., victim/witness program; services to sexual assault victims in Hennepin County, Minn.; and treatment of Vietnam veterans. Results of a survey of mental health center directors and knowledge utilization experts are also included. The final chapter lists proposed changes in victim services developed at the 1980 meeting of the Network of Consultants on Knowledge Transfer. Photographs, a reader questionnaire, footnotes, an author index, and reference lists are included. For individual articles, see NCJ 70278-91.