Based on the acclaimed professional certificate program, Advanced Institute on Victim Studies: Critical Analysis of Victim Assistance, this book identifies core content areas essential for practitioners working with crime victims. It presents a solid foundation of the varying concepts and theories on victims and victim services. The text addresses the skills and strategies needed to enchance services to victims at the individual, organizational and societal levels. Partial Contents: -Exploring Attitudes Towards Violence and Victimization -Barriers to Services -Trauma and the Crime Victim -The Justice System and Victims -Violence within Family Sysytems -Victims of Hate and Bias Crimes… -Victims Advocacy and Public Policy