I agree that there are predators in this world and the best you can do to protect yourself is to learn to recognize and get away from these people. Avoidance is prevention. "Monster" is a term that encourages a feeling of helplessness, so I prefer the word predator.

About what forgiveness is and what it is not, Skeezyks posted a number of articles on psychcentral in a different tread. My father died last night. I am glad I was able to re-establish contact with him and tell him that I loved him and say goodbye. He was accepting of his death and wanted it to be quick. He went out with 'no grudges' against anyone but didn't ask for forgiveness.

I am slowly digesting this psychcentral blog post on forgiveness: Forgiveness: Why You Should Consider It and How to Forgive