What is DARVO?

To kick off this survivor month, we're learning about D.A.R.V.O. - this is a tactic abusers employ in response to being called out for their behavior. It can be really difficult to point out, specifically for onlookers, and extremely painful for survivors as their abuser begins to invalidate their experiences and twist the truth to fit their own agenda.

A textbook example of D.A.R.V.O. is when a survivor names abuse they have experienced (to family, friends, the public, etc.) and the abuser says they, too, are being abused or that they are actually the survivor, not you. We often get so caught up in "believe survivors" that we fail to see how abusers use that rhetoric to manipulate people and distract from the truth and being accountable. Tap in!

Watch the full video here.