Should you forgive a cheating partner? Two people share their experiences of infidelity

When things go wrong in a relationship, some of us are hard pressed to forgive any kind of betrayal, as the hurt can be multi-layered and complex, writes Geraldine Walsh

Infidelity is a complex challenge for any couple, awash with difficult emotions and conversations.

Infidelity is not as simple as ending a relationship there and then. It is a complex challenge for any couple, awash with difficult emotions and conversations which need a little unpacking to understand what may be happening at the root of the relationship and for the individuals involved.

When things go wrong, some of us are hard pressed to forgive any kind of betrayal. This hurt can be multi-layered and complex, making forgiveness a difficult concept to work through, says relationship expert, Anne Brannick. “A person would need to fully examine what the relationship means to them and their reasons for staying,” she says. “Each partner also needs to be open to discussing why the infidelity came about and how each of them is affected by the infidelity. If the issues are not fully discussed until each person understands one another, forgiveness is only a band aid.”