Don't start getaway, then vigorously attack victim (9)
I believe the answer is:
scapegoat
'don't start getaway' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'then vigorously attack victim' is the wordplay.
'then' says to put letters next to each other.
'vigorously attack' becomes 'scape' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'victim' becomes 'goat' (goat is a kind of victim).
'scape' next to 'goat' is 'SCAPEGOAT'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for scapegoat that I've seen before include "Lay blame on" , "One is punished for the errors of others" , "One made to take blame" , "one carrying the can" , "Patsy" .)