The following article contains discussion of sexual assault.
Home and Away spoilers follow from Australian-pace episodes, which some UK viewers may prefer to avoid.
Home and Away's Felicity Newman agreed to consider meeting her attacker in Monday's Australian episode (August 21).
The long-running soap is exploring the issue of restorative justice as part of Felicity's ongoing storyline.
Last week, Felicity received a phone call and was told that Jeremy – the man who sexually assaulted her and then made blackmail threats – had asked to meet her following his recent arrest. She then confided in her best friend Eden Fowler about the unexpected request.
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In Monday's visit to Summer Bay, Eden advised Felicity against seeing Jeremy as she feared that the experience would be too triggering for her.
When Felicity turned to her brother Cash for further support, the police constable pointed out that the restorative justice programme can have some benefits.
Cash arranged for Felicity to meet Summer Bay newcomer Harper Matheson, who had more specific knowledge to share from her background as a social worker.
Felicity was interested in the possibility of securing closure through speaking to Jeremy, but still had questions about how it would work.
Related: Former Home and Away star Tessa James suggests soap return in a different role
In the end, Felicity announced to Cash and Eden that she had agreed to meet the programme's facilitator to discuss things further.
She said: "I want to look into the restorative justice a little bit more, so I spoke to the facilitator and there are some meetings that I need to attend to start the process, so I'm going to go to the city to do that. It doesn't lock me into anything."
Eden offered: "I can take you, if you think it will help. I promise I will keep my opinions to myself."
Restorative justice is a programme whereby those harmed by crimes meet those who were responsible, giving them an opportunity to discuss the impact and hold offenders to account.
Related: Home and Away confirms newcomer Harper's connection to Summer Bay
Jacqui Purvis, who plays Felicity, had previously spoken about this storyline development in an exclusive chat with Digital Spy.
She told us last month: "We end up exploring restorative justice. That's where the story is heading, where Felicity actually talks to the perpetrator."
Home and Away fans in the UK will see these scenes on Channel 5 in October.
Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.45pm on Channel 5 and 6pm on 5STAR. First-look screenings air at 6.30pm on 5STAR and the show also streams on My5.
In Australia, the show airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7pm on Channel 7 and streams on 7plus.
Read more Home and Away spoilers on our dedicated homepage.
If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information from Rape Crisis England and Wales, who work towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
