perfect victim

English

Noun

perfect victim (plural perfect victims)

  1. A victim of abuse who is blameless in all aspects of their interactions with the offender, often characterized by vulnerability, believability and respectability.
    • 2023 October 20, Kim Machray, “The 'Perfect Victim' Myth”, in Empoword Journal‎[1]:
      The perfect victim, according to Dr Jason B. Whiting, is someone who is weak or vulnerable and “involved in a respectable activity at the time of victimization”. Therefore, the victim must be “blameless in all aspects of the interaction” with their offender, who is a stranger to them.

Usage notes

  • Used in discussions where victims are disbelieved or belittled because they are perceived as contributing to their victimization, for example by dressing immodestly.
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