Hi Christine.

I actually never in my article suggest an abuse be forgiven per se. Empathy and forgiveness are two entirely different things.

As I wrote:

“ > Healing doesn’t mean forgiving at the start, but blaming our attackers and abusers isn’t going to help either. Be angry and downright pissed at them because you have every right to YES, but please be careful at pointing that hate and anger to those who have not hurt us and who might be trying to help.”

and this:

“Does it make what they do right? Of course not. Should they not be punished? Of course they should.”

— -

While I’m aware the campaign was to bring awareness, it was an awareness that has been known for quite some time, and it brought up some energy that was starting to become quite toxic and I had a urge to write from personal and professional experience in working with those who have healed sexual trauma.

Finally, for those, the survivors, that I do work with, many whom are best friends as well, the onus IS on them to heal what has happened to them, and those who are doing that healing are aware of this.

I’m sorry if that feels a little unfair and unjust, but if one doesn’t heal those wounds at this deep level that I write about, it perpetuates and is pass along to their children, or it happens again to them, repeatedly.

Irene.