If pushed too hard there is the danger of the witnesses becoming strident, pathetic, self pitying.
en.wikipedia.org I get it all the time --the seemingly innocent queries, perplexed, pitying looks, and left-handed compliments.
www.cnn.com He often tries to organize the male students in class, though his cunning often fails and the girls wind up pitying him instead.
en.wikipedia.org Pitying him a lot as a child, but also being aware that many of the things he did were unforgivable.
www.latimes.com Other unhelpful responses included inadequate or overly forceful restraint by the parent; shaming, threatening, yelling, slapping, lying; or, alternately, pitying, placating, bribing, and helpless parent behaviors.
en.wikipedia.org