Not only does it reward you with not having to take responsibility for any of your behavior (because “other people” are always responsible), but it also prevents you from feeling uncomfortable emotions like guilt and anger, while at the same time making you feel “cared for” by others. There is a lot of comfort and artificial “safety” in playing the victim identity.
This unconscious craving to control others through their sympathies is really only a way for the mind to reinforce its belief in the “I’m a victim” ego identity. Having other people feel sorry for you is an easy way to wrap them around your little finger. Playing the victim actually gives you a lot of power: power to avoid responsibility, power to feel “righteously” sad and persecuted, power to avoid uncomfortable emotions, and power to manipulate other people.
Simply put, having a victim mentality means that you blame other people and circumstances for the unhappiness you feel.