The pressure to forgive an abuser can be an enormous road block in a survivor’s healing journey, as we heard about in our first #MeToo and faith episode. Experts working with faith communities in crisis say forgiveness cannot be the first step in bringing justice to a victim of sexual or domestic abuse. Rather, it should be holding an abuser accountable, both to validate the experience of the victim and to prevent further abuse, is an essential part of the healing process. Serene Jones, president of Union Theological Seminary in New York City, says deep forgiveness is actually part of a larger process of seeking justice and accountability. Then we talk with the heads of two organizations that aim to educate and train religious leaders to respond in a way that most benefits the survivor, but is also firmly rooted in their beliefs.

Serene Jones, president of Union Theological Seminary
Emily Cohen, program manager of the Seattle-based Faith Trust Institute
Anne Marie Hunter, a United Methodist pastor and the director of the Boston-based Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership Against Domestic Violence