DARVO


DARVO is an acronym used to describe a common strategy of abusers. The abuser will: Deny the abuse ever took place, then Attack the victim for attempting to hold the abuser accountable; then they will lie and claim that they, the abuser, are the real victim in the situation, thus Reversing the Victim and Offender. This usually involves victim blaming. Some therapists see DARVO as a specific form of gaslighting.
Psychologist Jennifer Freyd wrote:
Alleged examples of DARVO in public events include:
DARVO has also been featured in popular entertainment. For example, the season 23 South Park episode Season Finale depicts a phone call between Herbert Garrison who portrays Donald Trump and Randy Marsh, in which DARVO is discussed as a strategy for Randy to defend himself.