The study was based on interviews with a random sample of male and female victims selected from 1979 files on robbery victims in Montreal and Quebec. Most victims were employees or owners of small businesses, or bank employees. In most cases, the robbery occurred rapidly: victims were usually alone (and offenders in pairs) and tended to comply automatically to the demands of the offenders. Victims generally wanted to cooperate with the police after the offense, but complained of the length of police questioning. Most victims were most troubled by their financial losses from the theft and were traumatized either temporarily or permanently by the fear and shock resulting from the incident. The severity of psychological effects varied widely. Most victims attributed the offenses to juveniles, naming such motives as poverty, umemployment, and indolence. Many victims were prompted to take security measures such as immediately depositing extra money and checks, installing alarm systems, installing one-way windows, and obtaining weapons, or in commercial establishments, hiring guards and installing cameras. Most victims reported having contact with the police (but not the courts): in general, victims' impressions of both police and courts were positive. The author argues that the recollections of victims should be compared with the findings of police to obtain an accurate picture of the offense and its effects. A selected bibliography is included.