Repentance from unlawful sexual intercourse and seeking the forgiveness of the girl's family

Question:
One of the brothers says: When repenting, it is obligatory to seek the forgiveness of the one whose right was violated by the repentant person. Does this require informing the girl's family that he committed unlawful sexual intercourse with her, and asking for their forgiveness and pardon?

Answer:
No, no. The intention behind seeking forgiveness is when one has taken money from them, or killed someone, or beaten them; that is where seeking forgiveness applies. As for the shameful act, may Allah protect us from it, repentance in this case is between the servant and his Lord. One should stand between himself and his Lord, without revealing the details of the act or spreading it. This is between him and Allah: he repents to Allah, seeks His forgiveness, and feels remorse. He must feel that remorse, abandon the act, and be sincere that he will not return to it. The woman is the same. And whoever repents, Allah accepts his repentance. It is not a condition of repentance to inform their family about it. Yes.