Rachael Denhollander posted that she will be speaking at an event that is titled "Can we reconcile Justice and Forgiveness" – I look forward to seeing what she has to say, hopefully it will be recorded and posted on YouTube.
I would like to take a stab at that talk.
First of all, are the definitions even similar? Can you find a common denominator?
Justice - the process or result of using laws to fairly judge and punish crimes and criminals.
Justice is about fair judgement and punishment
Forgiveness is about exoneration and mercy; to pardon the behavior.
I do not see a common denominator; a meeting place to begin.
The church wants to pardon without a trial.
Yet, as I wrote that, often sexual assault cases rarely are tried, so perhaps they both are in the business of pardoning.
I am hopeful that the more victims speak up and come forth – we become a force to be reckoned with.
It will be interesting to see if Rachael is trying to find a way for the religious folk to become educated about justice over forgiveness or in what direction she will go.
The only way I can see forgiveness is to accept that the past cannot be changed; to recognize the crime and criminal. And sadly, the courts in the land are often used to pardon the criminals in sexual abuse crimes. For it is a he said, she said. And, the victims are often judged more harshly than the perpetrators.
Both sides, in my opinion, need to reconcile in what is a better way to address victims, and to stop the long life of pedophiles.
This reminds me of seeing if there was a common denominator between a father and a pedophile. I haven't found one yet.
So can we reconcile Justice and Forgiveness?
Rachael Denhollander, the first woman to speak publicly and file a police report against the most prolific pedophile in sport's history, Larry Nassar.
I M Perfect lady 
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