General discussions of criminal justice data sources, the nature of the decisionmaking processes themselves, and characteristics of victimization surveys are presented. The particular data set on which the illustrations are based -- the National Crime Survey (NCS) series of victimization surveys -- is then described. Illustrations of the use of victimization survey data in policymaking, planning, and evaluation are organized around four issues: the concept of risk, the costs of victimization, program costs and benefits, and reporting of victimizations to the police. Finally, the limitations of the NCS are discussed, and the use of victimization surveys to reorient the criminal justice system away from an almost exclusive focus on offenders and toward a victim perspective is examined. The use of victimization survey data helps expand the range of victims whose harm can be considered in criminal justice policymaking, planning, and evaluation. Such surveys can serve as an important link between the criminal justice system and the public -- a channel of communication for the public to express its concerns about criminal justice issues. Tables, 12 notes, and over 40 references are provided. (Author summary modified)