If you’ve come across the term “DARVO response,” you may wonder what it means and why it is significant. DARVO is an acronym that stands for “Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender.” It describes a manipulative strategy often used by abusers or those accused of wrongdoing to deflect blame and shift focus from their actions to the accuser.

The Breakdown of DARVO

1. Deny: The first step in a DARVO response is denial. The individual accused of wrongdoing vehemently denies the allegations. They may insist that the incident never happened or that the accuser is mistaken or lying. This denial can involve gaslighting, where the perpetrator tries to make the victim doubt their memory or perception of events.
2. Attack: Following the denial, the abuser shifts to attacking the credibility, character, or mental stability of the victim. This might include questioning the victim’s motivations, labeling them as crazy or unstable, or bringing up unrelated past behaviors to discredit them. The goal is to undermine the victim’s credibility and shift the focus away from the original accusation.
3. Reverse Victim and Offender: The final stage of DARVO is where the perpetrator positions themselves as the victim, while portraying the actual victim as the offender. They may claim that they are being falsely accused out of malice, or that they are being unfairly targeted. This reversal is meant to garner sympathy for the abuser and further discredit the victim.

Why Is DARVO Important?

DARVO is particularly harmful because it can effectively confuse victims and observers, making it difficult to discern the truth. It can lead to victims feeling guilty, doubting their own experiences, or even being viewed as the aggressor by others. This tactic is commonly seen in abusive relationships, legal disputes, and even public scandals, where those in positions of power seek to avoid accountability.

The term was first coined by Dr. Jennifer Freyd, a psychologist at the University of Oregon, in 1997, and has since become a recognized concept in discussions of psychological abuse and manipulation​(

Dynamic UO

,

Lux Psychology

).

Understanding DARVO is crucial in recognizing and resisting manipulative behaviors that aim to shift blame and silence victims. If you suspect you are experiencing or witnessing DARVO, it’s important to seek support and approach the situation with awareness of these tactics​(

ChoosingTherapy.com

,

DomesticShelters.org

).