The correlation to this instance would be..."If someone is constantly sexually assaulted to the point where they EXPECT EVERYBODY to sexually assault them..."

In that case, I would offer this same advice... ask yourself if you are projecting an image that leads everybody to sexually assault you.

I am not justifying the behavior of walking over people (or assaulting people...)

I am simply offering a strategy to improve your lot if people are screwing you constantly.

There is a definite correlation between the image you project, how you are perceived and ultimately how you are treated.

Ignoring that reality is just being naive.

We are also talking about someone who is constantly being screwed, not someone who was assaulted once.

Robert Ringer, in his book "Winning Through Intimidation" postulates that the result you get from a negotiation is inversely proportionate to how intimidated you are."

just think about the last time you had to talk to a big VC or someone you were initimidated by, and consider whether you stood up for yourself or whether you were too scared to stand your ground.

Branding and image building is all about exactly this. Creating a deliberate impression on people before they need your product.