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A simple, heartfelt apology might be the most powerful tool for restorative justice in some sexual assault cases, according to the reporter covering a recent wave of shocking testimonies about abuse from school girls around the country.
âThat, for me, is the heart of the tension here in terms of âHow do we move forward?ââ says
The Sydney Morning Herald education reporter Natassia Chrysanthos, who broke the story about the Chanel Contos petition that ignited a national conversation about the high levels of sexual assault among private school girls at the hands of their male counterparts. âThereâs the option available to men, to wade into that really awkward, difficult space, have a conversation with a friend, build up the courage to approach someone that you might have sexually assaulted, or where you might have questions around your own behaviour. What a lot of women want is an apology and acknowledgement that someone did them wrong, and for behaviour to be modified.â