I've just realized a very good analogy for narcissistic abuse/reactive abuse

[TiredOfNarcs]

It's like a cat rolling over and exposing the soft part of its belly to someone, just for them to stab it in that vulnerable spot. Then they get scratched, so they run around showing everyone the scratches, insisting the cat is vicious. But the cat won't show the stab wound in its belly that triggered the scratch, because that involves showing that soft part of its belly again, and now it doesn't feel safe ever doing that again.

[TiredOfNarcs]

And to extend the analogy, sometimes another person (the new supply) will be close to the person stabbing the cat, so in the reactive flurry of claws, that other person might receive a scratch too. More "proof" the cat is vicious and will scratch unprovoked.

[Happiness_3]

Wow. That reminds me of my childhood with my mother doing that to my father. I wouldn't wish this on my enemies.

[AlisonWonder]

Yes.  I heard that true victims are embarrassed and don't want to talk about it, they don't parade their suffering.

[notrightinthehead]

That's a very powerful analogy, I can relate totally.