I evolved from being a character stuck in a story of forgiveness to being the narrator. I stopped acting out a script. I now use my own voice to tell how my story began and how it ends. My story does not begin with forgiveness. I began with self-care.
As survivors find their voice, they are seeking to be heard, not rescued. Listen for their resilience, and acknowledge the pain. They have trusted you to lend them your ears. In return, trust them to speak what needs to be spoken to move them one step forward on their healing journey.