Damseling

Damseling, is a shorthand version of 'damsel in distress' and is a term used to describe a behavior in which someone, typically a woman, portrays themselves as helpless or in need of rescue in order to elicit sympathy or assistance from others. The term is derived from the word “damsel,” which is a term used to describe a young unmarried woman. In some cases, individuals may engage in damseling as a manipulative tactic to gain attention or to avoid taking responsibility for their actions. Damseling can take many forms, such as exaggerating or fabricating problems, over-relying on others for help, or using a victim mentality to manipulate others into meeting their needs.

Further reading

Damseling and the child archetype at gynocentrism.com
The Near-Irresistible Lure of Damseling by Janice Fiamengo
Miscellaneous articles on the definition and nature of Damseling