the victim of a crime may or may not mean involvement with the formalities of criminal process. The offence been reported, the offender be caught and charged the victim enters the scene a witness. He will not be needed, then, if the offender admits guilt. His chances receiving compensation from the offender are low. , then, do victims decide to an offence to police? Through spontaneous anger and a desire to punish? A of repetition? A sense of public duty? simply to retrieve their property? It be that they hope compensation from the offender, or, in of injury, from public funds. victims need help or advice with problems which arise out of the offence, and if to whom do they turn? What treatment do they expect to receive at the of the criminal courts, and when proceedings are over, do they feel that the law has given justice?