. A Flying Monkey is someone who follows the orders of an abuser and perpetuates the abuse by relaying messages or intimidating targets of the abuse.
They are “fly on the wall” viewers, but become active participants in the destructive dynamic. They can be family, friends, neighbors or co-workers of the abuser. One way to tell if someone is a flying monkey is if they seem to be overly eager to partake in activities that support or endorse the behavior of the abuser.
They will also be quick to blame the victim for causes of the abuse, or try to discredit the victim’s feelings and experiences. Lastly, they may try to use manipulation techniques to control the victim and the narrative.