Every time I see a well written apology letter, I cringe at all the self-actualization rhetoric people respond to it with.
As if they must do more and become some kind of Buddhist monk before true retribution is to be awarded to them.
An apology in that context is a starting point, a request to open a door that has been shut by the abuser themselves. An apology doesn't actually fix anything regarding the toxic behavior, and not getting the benefit of doubt that ths behavior, again, with a track record of decades, is suddenly over is not just completely justified, it would be naive to do otherwise.
And to think that this kind of hesitance at trusting someone who has so systemically violated it for. decades. has anything to do with "awarding retribution" or "becoming like a Buddhist monk" is incredibly tone deaf.
At what point should spectators be allowed to treat this individual like a human again?