How do abusers typically justify their behavior?

Abusers often justify their behavior through self-justification, which allows them to rationalize their actions and avoid taking responsibility for the harm they cause. This can involve blaming external factors, minimizing the severity of their actions, or claiming that their partner provoked them. This mindset enables abusers to maintain a sense of control and power in their relationships, as they deflect accountability onto the victim or other circumstances. Such self-justification can also reinforce a distorted perception of reality, where the abuser sees themselves as a victim or believes their actions are warranted, despite the harm they inflict.