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This Chris Niosi stuff is really interesting to me, as a survivor of abuse. I think the main thing I wish people would take away is: it's not your business. Honestly.
Abusers often get away with things because those around them don't hold them accountable. HOWEVER,
Abusers often get away with things because those around them don't hold them accountable. HOWEVER,
It's extremely damaging to not allow someone to improve themselves, if that's what they're trying to do. This notion that once you fuck up, you're a fuck up forever, can keep people locked in that cycle because they don't feel capable of escaping their own crimes.
If you don't know an abuser, you cannot judge them. Really. You have to listen to the victims, and it sounds like they're taking his progress seriously. Listening to those affected is paramount, and I'm hearing progress, personally.
I WISH my abuser had taken the steps it sounds like Chris has and is taking. I would probably have forgiven her, if so. I hope we can allow Chris to make his progress so that he can truly become better. His victims deserve that, and it sounds like he does, too.
Finally, remember: it is not up to us to forgive sins done to others. If the victims have forgiven the offending party, we need to move on. We can help hold them accountable in the moment (and I think people did), but we cannot decide the victims are wrong. Give them that agency.
