DARVO is an acronym that stands for Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender. It describes a manipulative tactic often used by abusers to avoid taking responsibility for their actions and shift the blame onto their victims.

Deny. By engaging in a calculated act of denial, the perpetrator refuses to acknowledge their actions or the consequences thereof. They may adamantly negate any responsibility for their behavior, often employing tactics of minimization or outright dismissal. By denying the validity of the victim’s claims or the impact of their actions, the perpetrator effectively undermines the victim’s experiences and gaslights them into questioning their own reality.

Attack. Following the denial stage, the perpetrator will attempt to assault the victim’s character and credibility. This attack can take various forms—from subtle undermining remarks to overt accusations and blame-shifting. By casting doubt on the victim’s integrity, motivations or mental state, the perpetrator seeks to discredit their claims and deflect attention away from their own misconduct. Through targeted attacks, the perpetrator further erodes the victim’s confidence and reinforces their sense of powerlessness.