Victim is a personality trait in which people believe that they are the victim of other people or events. They have a “woe is me” outlook on life and believe that other people or things impede their happiness, success or well-being. Having a victim mentality can be the result of actual victimization or it can be a conditioned habit that develops in response to traumatic or other experiences.
Playing the victim card offers several hidden benefits: It removes blame for failures, garners sympathy and attention, and enables one to avoid taking responsibility for mistakes or poor choices. It also reinforces pessimism, and fosters feelings of helplessness and anger. It is difficult to overcome this mindset, but the first step may be educating yourself on its causes and effects.
While many people suffer real hardship and injustice, there is a growing trend to claim victim status for purposes that are largely fictitious. This is often the case when claims of victimhood are made to strangers, such as online on social media or fundraising sites. Such insincere victimhood signaling is associated with morally undesirable traits, such as narcissism, Machiavellianism (willingness to manipulate and exploit others for self-benefit), and a sense of entitlement and laziness.
People who are victims of violence, sexual assault, trafficking in persons and other exploitation should be given prompt access to justice through formal and informal mechanisms that are expeditious, fair, inexpensive and accessible. They should also receive appropriate compensation, including restitution, medical, material and social assistance, retraining and rehabilitation, and the return of property.