There is pressure on survivors to forgive to move on to not seek justice. People want our forgiveness to make themselves feel better. But forgiveness is complex. I can understand people without forgiving them fully. I can work toward peace without erasing accountability. I can seek healing without requiring forgiveness. In my work I have learned that true peace requires both accountability and compassion. It requires acknowledging what happened. It requires creating space for healing. But it also requires that perpetrators take responsibility. Real peace is built on truth and justice.
Forgiveness and Accountability
