A
manipulative tactic—often used in banlighting and PADARVO—where the perpetrator accuses the target of being the one who “started it,” “continued it,” or “finished it,” regardless of the actual timeline. By claiming “You started it,” the abuser frames any initial reaction or boundary-setting as
the original aggression. “You continued it” is used when the target refuses to stop defending themselves, casting
persistence as provocation. “You finished it” weaponizes the target’s final response—often a justified outburst—as the definitive act that “proved” their toxicity. The perpetrator cycles through these accusations as needed, shifting the blame onto the target for every phase of the conflict. YSI‑YCI‑YFI effectively erases the perpetrator’s own role by projecting it entirely onto the victim, making them appear to be the sole source of conflict and therefore deserving of banning or exclusion.
YSI-YCI-YFI Example: “After weeks of baiting, she finally replied. He reported her with the note ‘She started it.’ When she showed
evidence of his
provocation, he added ‘She
continued it by arguing.’ When she gave up and left, he told the mods ‘She finished it by leaving dramatically.’ YSI‑YCI‑YFI: using every phase of the conflict to blame the victim.”