Examining 'The Meeting' between Victim and Offender: Restorative Justice after Sexual Violence

This presentation begins with a screening of an award-winning film ̳The Meeting‘ (with Spanish subtitles). The film is based on the true story of a real meeting which took place between an Irish woman, Ailbhe Griffith, and the man who, nine years earlier, had subjected her to a horrific sexual assault that left her seriously injured and fearing for her life. Directed by one of Ireland‘s acclaimed film makers, Alan Gilsenan, Ailbhe played herself in this film. The film depicts the minute-by-minute account of the actual meeting, offering practitioners an inside view on how such restorative justice meetings can progress, see www.themeetingfilm.com The second part of the presentation by Marie Keenan examines 'The Meeting' and uses the film to examine restorative justice in cases of sexual violence. Marie Keenan who was Ailbhe‘s support person during the actual meeting and who was clinical and restorative justice consultant for the film.