ABSTRACT
Can a second victim ask the first victim or relatives of the first victim for forgiveness? For many people, this might be a question that does not really belong in the twenty-first century. Forgiving is associated with religious beliefs and rituals. What possible role can it play in modern institutional settings? But forgiving can also be seen as something fundamentally social, as something that happens between people-a way to mend a relationship, a way to deal with wrongdoing and remorse, and to enact restoration and reparation. When inadvertent harm has occurred, it is most likely that the first victim will be asked to forgive the second victim. And the second victim may have to try to forgive herself or himself.
