(Thread)
After speaking to many victims, I've found the biggest source of betrayal (besides the abuser) is the people who continue to be friends with/support the abuser. Especially when they are aware of the abuse they put you through.

So many people have the mindset of "But they are nice to me" "I've been their friend for a while" "Me being their friend doesn't effect you"
This makes the victim (rightfully) feel invalidated, unbelieved, like they don't matter, like you are taking the abusers side, etc.

They don't realize that by continuing the relationship with the abuser is enabling them. It empowers the abuser, making them feel like they can continue getting away with abuse because people still like/support them, make the person see them as the victim,

continue to uphold their "good guy" persona, feel more power over the victim, etc.
This is painful for the victim. People tell them they care, support them, believe them but then turn around and remain friends with the abuser. It leaves the abuser not knowing who to trust

and betrayed. They are left thinking, if you are aware of who this person really is, then why continue to be their friend/support them. It just adds to victims being unbelieved, blamed, paranoid, hurt, and invalidated.

Nobody understands the pain and betrayal in this until it happens to them. We need to stop thinking of abusers as people who "made a mistake" or people who "are good people, them and X just didnt work out. They are nice to me"

Stop validating abusers and start validating victims. Whether abusive towards you or not, AN ABUSER IS AN ABUSER. Its who they are, not just because of a "situation" or a "mistake" they made.
Stop feeding their egos and supporting them. Put yourself in the victims shoes.

Obviously some people do not know about the abuse. But if you do and the victim was able to trust you and open up about it, or even witness it, that's not okay.