Forum etiquette

Perpetrator-victim reversal: Manipulative attribution of blame

(Bild: stock.adobe.com - Olga Yastremska, New Africa, Africa Studio)

Perpetrator-victim reversal is a psychological phenomenon in which the perpetrator of a harmful act presents themselves as the victim, while the actual victim is portrayed as the perpetrator. This can occur in a variety of situations, for example in cases of domestic violence, bullying or criminal cases. It is a manipulative tactic used to shift blame and avoid responsibility for one's own actions.

Victim-offender reversal is not a new phenomenon. However, the term itself and the concept as a psychological phenomenon have only recently been studied and discussed.

The term "perpetrator-victim reversal" was first used in psychological literature in the early 1980s in connection with the understanding and treatment of domestic violence. Since then, it has been studied and discussed in various contexts, for example in relation to bullying, sexual assault and abuse, as well as in the criminal justice system.

In recent years, the concept of victim-offender reversal has been increasingly recognized and discussed in the media and popular culture. As awareness of issues such as bullying and domestic violence has grown, so has the realization that perpetrators manipulate their victims in order to blame them.

Where does this phenomenon occur?
The reversal of the perpetrator-victim relationship can occur in a variety of situations.

• Domestic violence
  Perpetrators of domestic violence may deny the abuse or blame their victims for it. They claim that their victims are crazy or overreact and portray themselves as victims.

• Bullying
  Bullies may accuse their victims of being "too sensitive" or of provoking the bullying. They often claim that the victim is causing the problem and that they themselves are the real victim.

• Criminal cases
  In some criminal cases, the perpetrator may claim that they acted in self-defense or that the victim deserved the harm done to them in some way.

• Sexual assault and harassment
  In sexual assault and harassment cases, perpetrators may blame the victim for their behavior and claim that the victim seduced them or solicited the act.

• Politics
  Politicians sometimes blame the media, the opposing party or others for their own shortcomings. They thus portray themselves as victims of unfair treatment.

These are just a few examples. Victim-blamer inversion can occur in any situation where someone harms another person and then tries to avoid responsibility for their actions by shifting the blame onto the victim.

How do you recognize this phenomenon?
Recognizing perpetrator-victim reversal can be difficult, as perpetrators often use manipulative tactics to shift blame onto their victims. However, there are some signs that may indicate perpetrator-victim reversal:

• Denial and trivialization
  The perpetrator denies or minimizes the harm they have caused. He claims that his actions were not abusive, or that the victim is overreacting.

• Assigning blame
  The perpetrator blames the victim for the harm he has caused. He claims that the victim caused or deserved the harm and tries to portray the victim as the problem.

• Emotional manipulation
  The perpetrator uses emotional manipulation. Tactics such as gaslighting, blame or emotional blackmail are often used to get the victim to question their own perceptions and experiences.

• The perpetrator portrays themselves as the victim
  He claims that he is the one who was hurt or abused and that the victim caused the problems.

• Isolation
  The abuser tries to isolate the victim from family, friends or other support systems to make it difficult for the victim to talk about the abuse.

It is important to take the victim's account seriously and not dismiss their experiences due to manipulative tactics by the perpetrator. It is also important to seek professional help in cases of domestic violence, sexual harassment, bullying or other situations involving abuse.

HELP AND INFORMATION

Victims who experience violence can find help and support here:
- Women's helpline on 0800/222 555 (free of charge and around the clock), frauenhelpline.at
- Emergency call of the Association of Women's Shelters: 05/7722 Association of Autonomous Austrian Women's Shelters (AÖF) at aoef.at
- Victim protection organization Weißer Ring under the telephone number 0800/112-112 or on the Internet www.opfernotruf.at

Caritas also has many counseling centers especially for men, where those affected can turn to in crisis situations.
- Caritas men's counseling service

What can victims do?
If you are affected by a perpetrator-victim reversal, there are a few things you can do to help and protect yourself:

• Seek support!
  It is important to have a support system. This can include friends, family or professionals such as therapists or counselors. They can offer you emotional support and help you process what you have experienced.

• Document the abuse!
  Keep a diary or record of the incidents of abuse, including the date, time and details of what happened. This can be useful if you need to seek legal or medical help in the future.

• Get legal assistance!
  If you are a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or other crimes, you can contact a local organization that provides legal assistance. They can inform you of your rights and options and help you obtain a restraining order or other legal protection.

• Educate yourself!
  Educate yourself on the dynamics of abuse and perpetrator-victim reversal so you can better understand what you are experiencing and how to respond.

• Find safe places!
  Find safe places, whether it's a friend or family member's house or a local shelter. Knowing that there is a safe place you can go if you need to leave an unsafe situation can give you a sense of security. You can find a list of violence protection centers and women's shelters in Austria at https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/.

• Create a safety plan!
  If you find yourself in an ongoing abusive situation, it is important to create a safety plan. This should include how to get to a safe place, how to ask friends and family for help and how to contact emergency services.

Remember that perpetrator-victim reversal is a manipulative tactic used by the abuser to avoid responsibility and that you are not responsible for the abuse you are experiencing. By seeking help and support and knowing your rights, you can regain control of your life and begin the healing process.

How can family members recognize the true victim?
Recognizing the true victim after a perpetrator-victim reversal can be difficult. However, there are some signs that can help you distinguish the true victim from the perpetrator.

• Watch out for patterns!
  Pay attention to patterns of behavior. A true victim will likely have consistent and believable accounts of the abuse they experienced. The abuser may change their story or try to cover up the truth.

• Listen to the victim!
  Listen to the victim's account and take their words and experiences seriously. A real victim may show signs of trauma, such as fear, anxiety or depression. They may also show physical injuries or other signs of abuse.

• Watch out for defensive behavior!
  Abusers may become defensive or try to shift blame to the victim when they are called out on their behavior. A genuine victim, on the other hand, may be vulnerable and willing to take responsibility for their actions.

• Seek professional help!
  A trained professional such as a therapist, counselor or social worker can help you recognize the signs of abuse and determine who the real victim is. They can also offer the victim support and counseling.

• Do not jump to conclusions!
  It's important to keep an open mind and not make assumptions based on appearances or preconceived notions.

Remember that victim-blaming is a manipulative tactic used by the perpetrator and that the real victim is the one who suffers harm. It is important to show empathy, listen to and support the real victim and hold the perpetrator accountable for their actions.