Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela quotes:

Forgiveness does not overlook the deed. It rises above it.

Perpetrators who receive the gift of forgiveness are given a chance to change

an act of forgiveness sets the victim apart from the perpetrator, who failed to act humanly towards the victim at the time he committed his crime.

For perpetrators, when they apologize and experience remorse, it gives them a chance to reclaim their own humanity. Some rise to the moral challenge. Others of course don't care, and they continue acting with contempt.