'I met man who abused me as a child' - BBC News

Laura Coel was groomed and sexually assaulted by her former stepfather between the ages of four and 14. Now a mum of two, she chose to meet and forgive her abuser in a restorative justice programme. In an exclusive interview with the Victoria Derbyshire programme, she explained why she wanted to meet her stepfather face-to-face to explain the impact the abuse had on her life.
She has waived her right to anonymity.

[lauracoel]

Forgiveness is not about 'letting' people off, or saying it's OK to commit crimes, but it letting go for me, so I could move on with my life, radical acceptance, something I learnt in the many hours of that I've been through to enable me to finally get to this happy place.
Thank you those who have left supportive comments. Those who are spectical - walk a day in my shoes before you judge

[NickDawson-hruk]

Very similar to my experience... I met my twin brother's killer in prison in 2015. It's an incredibly powerful process. I didnt quite get to the point of forgiveness in our meeting, but still a huge help for both of us, so many questions answered, and dissolved a lot of my anger. Helped me tremendously along the curve of acceptance, understanding and being at peace with everything - my definition of forgiveness. He's since been released and RJ was a huge step in the acceptance of this process. You are so brave to talk about it.

[saany]

try still living with the constant memory of the person being present in your family.

[nikadavise-brlx]

Unless she get to cut him slowly to death how does this help? and why is he allowed to live?

[Zopdoz]

"I met *a* man who abused me as a child" !!

"A man" not just "man" BBC!!

With that said, atleast an uppercut would suffice for all the horror he'd done to you, no matter how sorry he was for all the emotional stress he had made you go through!
But i do have to give it to you, you were the better person by not being physical during the whole encounter.

[robtennant]

I really don't understand why you'd feel powerful when asking questions?

[blazednlovinit]

It's big of her to forgive. Hope she's doing great

[lauracoel]

It's all well saying 'i would kill him ' etc, but at times of course I considered this- but where in reality would that get me? What would that make me?the horrible nasty person that he always told me I was, I am not that person, I have a family and life and me going to prison or feeling guilty for the rest of my life definitely wouldn't be a good move. We have consequences for every action, retaliating with hate and violence only creates more hate and Pretty simple really

[powerupyourhealth]

An opportunity to put some demons to rest.

[chuckberry]

Now then now then, the BBC are so compassionate . Not!