The victim is the individual who feels attacked or persecuted by others.
The persecutor pressures, coerces, or threatens the victim in some way.
The rescuer comes in to seemingly help the victim, but really the desire to help is often motivated by ego and there is a dishonest or mixed motive behind the offer of help. It is not unconditional.
As Claude Steiner, a Transactional Analyst, said about the triangle: “…the Victim is not really as helpless as he feels, the Rescuer is not really helping, and the Persecutor does not really have a valid complaint.” Any of these roles have the ability to generate shame and perpetuate a life of unhealthiness and dysfunction, within oneself and in relationships.
Anytime one finds themselves on this triangle, it is important to step back and ask yourself: 1) What is my motive for behaviour?; 2) How am I feeling?; and 3) What is the real issue here? Continuing to explore your mental health and look at biological-psychological-