Reactive Abuse

One of the greatest tricks of an abuser is in trying to convince their victims that the abuse and suffering they are being subjected to, is their fault.

Prolonged and excessive psychological, emotional, verbal and even spiritual abuses, coupled with blame shifting in Social and Intimate Partner Relationships, can induce, not only feelings of self-doubt, dissonance and depression, relative to what is actually happening within the confines of the relationship, but is also known to spawn and provoke REACTIVE ABUSE scenerios, as victims try to ward off further harm.

Reactive abuse is one of the most detrimental and harmful effects of domestic violence and abusive relationships, because it reinforces to the victim by way of distorting our natural defense mechanisms toward dysfunctional behavior, that the target of abuse is infact the abuser themselves, WHEN THEY ARE NOT.

It is critical to note that in such circumstances, even if a victim being subjected to abusive behavior, responds unfavorably or with violence themselves...THEY  AREN'T THE ABUSER.

An abnormal reaction to abnormal circumstances is normal behavior.

                                                   --Victor Frankl

It becomes both the Macro and Micro aggressions targets of abuse are subjected to, that are compounded to make way for dystrophic responses, as last resort defense mechanisms in an effort to protect themselves from abusers and narcissistic or otherwise defunct people and circumstances.

 

The following video highlighting Reactive Abuse, serves to help our OASISAGAINSTVIOLENCE survivor community better understand the key facts involved in circumstances where abusers try to further their aim of abuses by using victim responses to harmful behavior, to keep them trapped within the CYCLE OF VIOLENCE.

May we each of us learn of what Social and Intimate Partner Violence is, so we have the tools to build healthy sustainable relationships with those who truly love us and mean us well.

--OASISAGAINSTVIOLENCE