DARVO refers to a reaction perpetrators of wrong doing may display in response to being held accountable for their behavior.

Dr . Jennifer J. Freyd

Introduction

DARVO is a useful tool to determine whether you might be dealing with a personality disordered individual such as a narcissist or psychopath. Since the majority of cults are led by such people, DARVO also becomes another useful tool to determine whether you might be in a cult, by applying it to the leader.

DARVO stands for Denial, Attack, and Reversing Victim and Offender. It works like this:

  1. Denial – The narcissist will claim they never said or did that
  2. Attack – If you have evidence or an argument, they will bypass that and directly attack you. This can be very exhausting or even frightening, but the narcissist loves doing it so they will usually win. Most people will back off after two or three attacks, because it wears them down. The narcissist however, gets a high off all this and it will make them feel better. The narcissist can weaponize things you have told them in confidence. They can create a sense of menace without directly threatening you.
  3. Reversing Victim and Offender – After attacking you, the narcissist will reverse the victim and offender roles. They paint themselves as the victim and you as the attacker or problem. They may claim this is a witch hunt and everyone is out to get them, or that they are being persecuted. They may also make veiled threats about revealing the “truth” about you, now the offender, to the public. This is the gaslighting main event designed to put you on the defensive. Once you go on the defensive, they have you trapped.

    Two Examples

    Below are two examples of DARVO in action from the cult I recently left. The first involved the cult leader actively meddling in and destroying a marriage by manipulating the wife into divorcing her husband, and then vilifying the husband afterwards when he spoke out and confronted the leader about it. The second occurred during a mass exodus from the cult where some people spoke out against the leader. Many of those departing or in the process of departing called out the leader for changes in doctrine, splitting apart families, or abusing people in various ways.

    Marriage Meddling

    A man in the congregation courted a woman, also in the congregation, and they were married by the cult leader in a public ceremony. Shortly thereafter, the leader and his wife took aside the woman and manipulated her into divorcing the man because he would not submit to and obey the leader. They did this without the presence or knowledge of her new husband. When the husband discovered what was going on, he approached the religious leader in the manner specified in the bible, endorsed by the leader himself (Matthew 18:15-17). First alone one-on-one, but the leader denied any involvement despite evidence to the contrary. Then in the company of several other congregation members, which the leader also deflected. Finally, he addressed the entire congregation. The cult leader responded with a clear example of DARVO.

    Denial

    The leader denied manipulating or even speaking to the man’s wife about divorce, even though the husband had ample evidence to the contrary.  He stated that the idea for the divorce came entirely from the woman and that he had actually advised to the contrary.

    Attack

    The leader then stated that the woman divorced him because he was a bad husband who would not follow God or the bible. He falsely painted the husband as a man of questionable character who regularly violated biblical commands, although he could not provide any evidence of this except for one very minor issue that the husband had already addressed long ago. He inflated this minor issue into something ludicrously huge, even though many congregation members had been “forgiven” repeatedly for violating it. The leader did not address any of the issues the husband brought up when addressing the entire congregation. Instead, he personally attacked the man, calling him a rebel and unwilling to submit to godly authority (i.e., the cult leader’s authority). He then threw him out of the congregation and banned him from setting foot on the cult property again.

    Reversing Victim/Offender

    The cult leader then stated he was just a humble servant of God who was being falsely accused of meddling in and destroying a marriage. He indicated that he was forced to remove the husband from the congregation for the best interests of the people in it. He said that the husband had left him no choice, by refusing to talk about it to resolve things (even though the husband had made repeated efforts to discuss this with the leader). He told others that he had tried his very best to reconcile with the husband, but that the man was just too prideful and vindictive to consider it. He then accused the husband of slandering and maliciously gossiping against both him and the congregation.

    Mass Exodus

    Less than a year after the meddling incident, many people began leaving the cult for various reasons ranging from doctrinal changes to outright abuse. Some of them were vocal about it and confronted the leader to account for his abuse or enabling abuse from others. Others called into question possible abuse of children within the group. One man asked the leader to provide credentials substantiating who and what he claimed to be. Some legitimate religious leaders from different groups questioned the leader’s scholarship, doctrine and methods. They invited him to debate publicly with them. In a nutshell, the cult leader had kicked over an ant’s nest of various people whom he had hurt, offended, or maligned in some manner.

    Denial

    The cult leader denied any fault or responsibility for the people leaving. He also stated that all his doctrinal teachings were sound and that both those departing and the legitimate religious leaders questioning them were either misinformed or personally vindictive. He further stated that there was no abuse of any kind occurring within the group.

    Attack

    Once again, the leader did not address one single question or allegation. Instead, he attacked those speaking out as “rebelling against God.” He responded to the man asking for credentials that he should in turn provide his own credentials, ludicrous because the man asking was not claiming to be a religious scholar or leader, and therefore needed no credentials. He vilified the legitimate religious leaders questioning him by calling them anti-Semitic and stating that they were the ones who were teaching falsely. He underscored this attack by attempting to personally ridicule them and any sources they cited, often for the most flimsy or nonsensical reasons. He falsely claimed questionable sources or statements by them that they never used or made. He even mobilized cult members into attacking and intimidating people challenging him, while claiming they were acting on their own. Some of the more aggressive cult members called or visited people in an attempt to intimidate them into either returning or remaining quiet.

    Reversing Victim/Offender

    The leader smoothly segued into victim mode by further exploiting the anti-Semitic fiction.  He loudly proclaimed all the people questioning him and calling him out to be anti-Semitic persecutors against the righteous followers of God (i.e.., him and the cult). Never mind that some of the people calling him out were themselves Semitic (Jewish) and he was not. He then claimed to be very open minded and humble, willing to discuss whatever was on the congregation’s mind and try to find a compromise with which everyone could agree. [However, during that discussion, he had the first man who raised an objection thrown out of the meeting and banned from the property.] Finally, he proclaimed that God had purged all those who had left or he had thrown out to refine the congregation into a pure and righteous group who continued to be unjustly targeted for following God.

    Conclusion

    You cannot make up this stuff. The leader of the group, which I and others left, glaringly and blatantly meets these criteria, yet still people continue to follow and defend him.

    Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

    Proverbs 28:13

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Judging, elevating or favorably treating others by physical characteristics, or traits. Replaces racism due to the fact that there is only one race, human.

The overriding view that women are strong and independent, don’t need men, and are more competent and wiser than men. Men are to realize and admit that they are both inferior and toxic.

Giving too much attention and affection, whether through gifts, compliments, or acts of service as a way of seeking validation from someone else.

Instead of accepting responsibility and facing the uncomfortable situation head-on, the deflectors will try to move the focus from themselves, usually by passing the blame onto someone or something else.

Individuals are confronted with two choices, both of which have negative results. The choices are framed to produce an emotional response in the person, forcing them to choose or look bad. The individual will fail, no matter what choice they make. The abuser will use this as leverage to further manipulate the victim by depicting them as weak, flawed or ineffective.

The manipulative process by which individual or collective freedom of choice and action is compromised by agents or agencies that modify or distort perception, motivation, affect, cognition and/or behavioral outcomes. The person being mind controlled is not aware of the influence process, nor of the changes occurring within themselves. They believe they are acting according to their own choices.

A declaration of an intention or determination to inflict punishment, injury, etc. to frighten and emotionally force a person to do something.

The intentional manipulation of another person’s emotions to induce feelings of guilt. It is a form of emotional blackmail that is often designed to manipulate other people by preying on their emotions and making them feel responsible for something they are not.

Using sarcasm and put-downs to increase fear and self-doubt in the victim. Manipulators use this tactic to make others feel unworthy and therefore defer to them. Manipulators can make one feel ashamed for even daring to challenge them or say no.

Attempting to establish a perceived close bond with someone very quickly to overcome their natural caution and use them for money, resources or work. This is often involves a quick push for friendship or intimacy.

A manipulative tactic where someone portrays themselves as a victim to gain sympathy, attention, or caregiving. The goal is to make the person eliciting pity seem like a victim, which can make it easier to get what they want without being seen as a bad guy. This is because people are naturally inclined to help those they pity.

A woman is simultaneously a victim and empowered, until something happens. Then she chooses which state benefits her the most.

A woman is simultaneously a victim and empowered, until something happens. Then she chooses which state benefits her the most.

A Chad is a stereotypical alpha male. He is depicted as attractive, successful, muscular, cocky and very popular among women. He has a tendency to play the field and will not commit to any woman.

An enabler of a highly narcissistic person or someone with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). A flying monkey is an agent who acts on their behalf.

Projection involves taking an unacceptable part of oneself, disowning it, and placing it onto someone else. The manipulator describes the victim and paints them in a light that more accurately portrays the attacker himself.

Toxic amnesia is a tactic where the perpetrator pretends to not remember abuse, betrayals, lies, and other hurtful and dysfunctional behaviors they've engaged in. Its a form of gaslighting. Its purpose is to make you doubt your perceptions and memories.

Narcissistic rage can be triggered by various situations, such as criticism, perceived rejection, or being ignored. The reaction is often extreme and disproportionate to the event or comment, as the narcissist's fragile ego struggles to cope with the perceived attack on their self-image.

Triangulation is when a toxic or manipulative person, often a person with strong narcissistic traits, brings a third person into their relationship in order to remain in control. There will be limited or no communication between the two triangulated individuals except through the manipulator. It may appear in different forms, but all are about divide and conquer, or playing people against each other.

The action or practice of lavishing someone with attention or affection, especially in order to influence or manipulate them.

Cognitive dissonance refers to a situation involving conflicting attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors. This produces a feeling of mental discomfort leading to an alteration in one of the attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors to reduce the discomfort and restore balance.

To gaslight someone means to manipulate another person into doubting their own perceptions, experiences or understanding of events. ~ American Psychological Association

Because their sense of self is determined by what others think of them, narcissists use relationships for self-enhancement. Everyone must feed them. In addition, they seek validation and attention in their public and professional life. Other people are used as objects in order to provide their supply. For example, they may need constant compliments or applause, more status and money, or may check their appearance in the mirror several times a day. ~ Psychology Today

Fraud that targets people belonging to a particular community or group, typically that in which someone pretends to be a member of the group in order to gain the trust of others.

Second Attack
Second Attack
First Attack
First Attack
Initial Dispositions
Initial Dispositions
ZSU 23-4
ZSU 23-4 Anti-Aircraft Gun
TOW Missile
TOW Anti-Tank Missile
T55 Tank
T55 Tank
SA7
SA7 Surface to Air Missile
M113
M113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
M48 Tank
M48 Tank
Hawker Hunter
Hawker Hunter Jet
BTR-50
BTR-50 Armored Personnel Carrier
BM21 Stalin Organ
BM21 Stalin Organ
Howitzer
Howitzer
AT7 Anti-Tank Missile
AT7 Anti-Tank Missile
AT3 Sagger Anti-Tank Missile
AT3 Sagger Anti-Tank Missile
120mm Mortar
120mm Mortar
AT4 Anti-Tank Missile
AT4 Anti-Tank Missile

Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

A religious leader uses valid verses or concepts from the Bible about following and obeying God to generate enthusiasm in people, then misdirects that obedience to himself as a representative of God. The group believes they are following and obeying God, but in reality are obeying the leader.

A fictional, exaggerated version of an opposing viewpoint, especially one that is intentionally created to be easy to dismiss or argue against and to make one's own argument seem stronger. Straw man arguments can be made unintentionally, but most are made on purpose to make the other side seem evil, incompetent, or extremist.

The religious leader distracts members from mentally registering what he is doing.  Screaming praise to God when something he proclaimed does not come to pass.  Acting like a bad thing is really a good thing.  Just keep talking and talking and talking, while ignoring that nothing is happening. It is the same thing politicians have done successfully for years.

The leader calls members flattering adjectives or nouns, like righteous, holy, or saint.  These are often vague and difficult to define, so the member feels the leader’s superior knowledge has recognized something good in them.  Conversely, if the leader later withdraws this praise, the member is eager to toe the line to recover it.

Manipulation of a person or group's emotions in order to make them believe something is factual (or false) in the absence of any evidence. The manipulator tries to draw on the recipient's inward feelings such as fear, pity, or joy with the goal of convincing them that the statements being presented are true or false.

Essentially a black-and-white worldview with the leader as the ultimate moral arbiter. This creates an atmosphere of guilt and shame, where punishment and humiliation are expected. It also sets up an environment wherein members spy and report on one another. Through submission to the guilt-inducing and impossible demand for purity, members lose their moral bearing.

The use of jargon internal to (and only understandable by) the group. Constricting language constricts the person. Capacities for thinking and feeling are significantly reduced. Imagination is no longer a part of life experiences, and the mind atrophies from disuse.

The process whereby the group becomes the ultimate arbiter and all nonbelievers become so-called evil or non-people. If these non-people cannot be recruited, then they can be punished or even killed. This process creates an us-versus-them mentality that breeds fear in followers who learn that life depends on a willingness to obey. This is when individuals merge with the group’s belief.