BETRAYED BY THE SYSTEM, NOT JUST RUMORS

 A rumor starts with an unverified or completely false story. The origin is often unknown, and the motives are typically malicious. Without anyone questioning its validity, the rumor quickly spreads. People share the story without checking facts, and each telling can add new details, making it seem more convincing.

As more people hear the rumor, they start to believe it, even though it's built on a foundation of lies. This is where it becomes a "group mentality." The victim is then confronted by people who believe the lie. They might face hostility, social exclusion, and emotional or psychological harm.

The true victim of the rumor can be made to look like the bad person, while the person who started the rumor and the people who blindly believe it can seem justified in their actions. This process highlights how destructive a rumor can be, not just because of the initial lie, but because of the way people's uncritical acceptance and participation can turn a story into a harsh reality for the person being targeted.

When a victim tries to explain the truth and stop the emotional abuse, their efforts can be twisted and used against them. People who have already bought into the rumor may interpret the victim's defense as a sign of guilt or as an attempt to deceive them further. Their desperate pleas for understanding are dismissed as "protesting too much."

This is where the power dynamic becomes truly malicious. The bullies who started the rumor can use this situation as a cover. The widespread focus on the false story about the victim distracts everyone from other, potentially more serious, events or actions the bullies are trying to hide.

The victim's life is then turned upside down as they fight a losing battle to prove their innocence while the real perpetrators are free to continue their harmful behavior in the shadows. The very act of trying to defend themselves traps them deeper in a cycle of misunderstanding and abuse, while the people who started the problem get away with it.

It's a frustrating and unfair situation when justice tries to find the truth, but rumors have already spread. The person who started the rumor becomes impossible to find, leaving the victim as the only accessible person.

Because the victim is the only one available for questioning, they become the primary target for anyone investigating. This process often ignores the victim's rights, causing them to become a "victim of justice" as well.