Barrett and Trepper's predictable stages of denial are as follows:
  1. Denial of facts ("It never happened; you're a liar!"), followed by:
  2. Denial of awareness ("I was drunk," or "I didn't realize I was neglecting you; you should have told me"), followed by:
  3. Denial of responsibility ("You were the one who was seductive," or "If your mother didn't deny me, I wouldn't have to have turned to you."), and finally:
  4. Denial of impact ("It only happened a few times," or "It was only fondling," or "OK, so I beat you. Why do you always have to dwell on the past? You're just too sensitive; get over it!")