Summary by Mariya Yevsyukova Copyright 1997 by the Conflict Research Consortium . The main theme of the article is the process of forgiveness and the role mediators play in this healing journey. In the victims' journey the first step is usually denial.
Victims try to minimize the offense and look for what they did wrong to cause it.
Mediation does not usually happen at this stage, but even if it does, it is not effective. Victims quickly accept an apology and the offenders do not experience much guilt and might repeat the offense. The next four stages the author adapts from Lewis B. Smedes' book, Forgive and Forget . The second stage is hurting. The victims acknowledge the offense and feel the pain.