This chapter explores the general position of victims in criminal trials in Germany, a traditional inquisitorial system, and Australia, a mostly adversarial system. The analysis takes into account how criminal justice is currently understood in each system. It subsequently explores whether the introduction of victims’ participatory rights in the two states can be seen as a break from the traditional understanding of criminal justice as a conflict between state and defendant and a move towards a victim-focused process model. This includes analysis of the legislature’s motives behind the introduction of victim-related participatory rights, where available, as well as the reactions this kind of law reform has caused within the legal profession, political institutions and in scholarship. In light of the findings for Germany and Australia, the question is subsequently pondered whether future law reforms in the area of procedural rights for victims are likely to yield the envisioned results.