User:Penbat/reactive abuse

Reactive abuse takes place when a target of abuse is provoked into “reacting abusively” themselves towards the abusive person.

The switch
Narcissists, in an abusive search for control, will provoke their victims into an outburst of abusive behavior, so as to be able to blame them for their own interpersonal problems. This pattern, of provoke and deny, is a form of gaslighting.

Literary examples

 * D H Lawrence is thought to have shown elements of victim-blaming, and of provoking reactive abuse, in more than one of his close relationships.