... (not least because in my situation I don't know identities of those involved......the guy who attacked me because he was a stranger and the girl who murdered my friend because she was afforded a new id on release......
Can't remember the name of the book I read this in - several years ago - but it seems that one can forgive a nameless/faceless person, in the same way that you and I can - through our political leaders - apologise for the actions of our predecessors (slavery, trade injustice, etc.)
Please don't get me wrong, I'm not telling you that you must or must not do something here - just using your situation as a trigger for debate.