<a href="mailto:[email protected]?subject=Revision:%20Concepts/DARVO%20-%2020260302211840" style="border:1px solid #555; padding:4px 12px; border-radius:4px; color:#a89ee8; text-decoration:none; font-size:0.9em; background-color:#2a2a2a;">📩 Submit a Revision/Addition</a> ## 🧠 What is DARVO? **DARVO** is an acronym that stands for: - **D**eny - **A**ttack - **R**everse - **V**ictim and - **O**ffender It describes a **manipulative response pattern** where the person accused of wrongdoing flips the script to **avoid accountability** and make **the accuser seem like the aggressor**. --- ## 🔁 How It Works 1. **Deny** The person denies they did anything wrong. > “That’s not what happened.” > “You’re exaggerating.” 2. **Attack** They go on the offensive, criticizing the accuser’s tone, motives, or credibility. > “You’re crazy.” > “You’re just trying to start drama.” > “Why are you bringing this up now?” 3. **Reverse Victim and Offender** They reposition themselves as the real victim — making the person calling out the behavior seem like the attacker. > “I’m the one being attacked here.” > “You’re making me feel unsafe.” > “I can’t believe you’re accusing me of that.” --- ## 🎯 Why It’s Used DARVO is often used by: - Abusers - Narcissists - People in power who want to avoid public accountability It works because it: - **Confuses the victim** - **Derails the conversation** - **Triggers guilt or self-doubt** - **Shifts focus away from the original issue** --- ## 🧠 TL;DR > **DARVO** is when someone accused of bad behavior flips the narrative: > They **deny** it, **attack** the accuser, and **recast themselves as the victim** — all to avoid accountability and shift blame.