In a recent Justia blog post, Professor Lesley Wexler raised questions about the perceived worthiness of victims of abuse - specifically, what is the relationship between renouncing monetary compensation for physical abuse and the perception of a claimant as an ideal victim?

She points to examples of high profile sexual assualt victims who have renounced monetary relief, and argues that seeking compensation should not minimize victimhood. 

"...I think these high-profile cases are a missed opportunity to tackle not only the stereotypes and misperceptions about how victims respond in the moment to a harassing act and why they may continue a relationship with an abuser, but also an opportunity to reaffirm the self-worth of the individual victim."

Read the full post at verdict.justia.com.