Therapists OverviewA BLAMING LETTER AND A FORGIVING LETTER TO PERPETRATORGOALS OF THE EXERCISE1.Express feelings to and about the perpetrator including the impact that the sexual abuse has had.2.Clearly place responsibility for the abuse on the perpetrator, absolving self of any blame.3.Begin the process of forgiveness in order to relieve self of bitter anger.4.Clarify current feelings toward the perpetrator and expectations held for him/her.ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS FOR WHICH THIS EXERCISE MAY BE MOST USEFULDissociationLow Self-EsteemSUGGESTIONS FOR PROCESSING THIS EXERCISE WITH THE CLIENTThis exercise focuses on two important steps in the recovery process for the survivor of sexual abuse. First, the client must place clear responsibility on the perpetrator for the sexual abuse and absolve himself/herself of any responsibility. Second, the client must begin a process of forgiveness to reduce feelings of anger or revenge that may cripple the recovery process. The letter of forgiveness cannot be assigned too early in the counseling process, and the therapist must be careful that such a letter does not imply that the perpetrator is excused from responsibility for his/her actions.

EXERCISE XXXV.AA BLAMING LETTER AND A FORGIVING LETTER TO PERPETRATORIt is very important for your recovery from the trauma of sexual abuse that you sort out your feelings about the abuse and clearly identify the perpetrator as the responsible party. You must resist the common tendency to take some responsibility for the sexual abuse, even in some indirect way or small measure. It is also important during later stages of recovery that you begin to grapple with the concept of forgiveness toward the perpetrator. You will need to discuss the concept of forgiveness and how this is a process that takes time. It is important to develop an understanding of why forgiveness can be a healthy practice for you that brings considerable benefit in terms of replacing bitter anger with a sense of peace. This assignment is designed to help you think through writing a letter of blame, for this is an important step in your recovery, and a letter of forgiveness, a step not to be confused with excusing the perpetrator or absolving him/her of guilt.1.Blame Letter: On the following lines, compose a letter of blame to the perpetrator and consider including the following elements in your letter.Tell the perpetrator what your accusations are regarding his/her abuse of you.Explain why the perpetrator is solely responsible for this abuse.Describe how the sexual abuse made you feel at the time it occurred and now.Describe how the sexual abuse has affected your life.Describe how you felt toward the perpetrator before, during, and immediately after the sexual abuse.Describe how you feel toward the perpetrator now.2.Forgiving Letter: On the following lines, compose a letter of forgiveness and consider including the following elements.Tell the perpetrator that he/she is solely responsible for the sexual abuse.Explain why you are attempting to forgive him/her.Explain that forgiveness does not mean that his/her abuse was excusable.Explain that forgiveness is a process that may take a long time to complete and you are only beginning it now.Tell the perpetrator what you expect from him/her now and in the future.Tell the perpetrator what type of relationship you may want with him/her, if any, in the future.