Psychological research showed decades ago that people are biased in their perception of victims. Survivors who do not appear “innocent” or “coherent” enough are denied recognition and validation (cf. Janoff-Bulman, 1992). This bias helps protect the just world belief — the comforting illusion that the world is fair (Lerner, 1980). This illusion functions not only as a psychological defense but as a defense of hierarchy: if victims are partially blamed, the powerful can remain unquestioned.