Activists and survivors of sexual abuse protest the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Sept. 28, 2018, at the Federal Building Plaza in Chicago. Christine Blasey Ford had accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when they were both teens. (Scott Olson / Getty Images) |
BY JENNIFER J. FREYD and SARAH HARSEY | DARVO is an acronym—Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender. It was first identified by trauma researcher Jennifer Freyd in the late 90s, who noticed sex offenders tend to respond with a specific pattern when confronted or held accountable: deny their involvement in any wrongdoing, or deny their actions caused any real harm; attack victim credibility by inserting doubt about their accusers’ motives and psychological soundness; and promote a narrative positioning themselves as victims of false, reputation-ruining accusations.
Being betrayed by the institutions meant to protect them discourages victims from seeking justice. DARVO should have no place in investigations of rape.
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