This includes contributing towards Iceland's action plan against gender-based violence, advising the Slovenian government on policy regarding online safety and gender equality, and a high-level webinar for the European Union on how to make safe online spaces for women and girls, to name examples. After hearing their story, some praised the two for. In terms of expert consultation, I've partaken in shaping national and international policy on gender-based violence. When Thordis Elva and Tom Stranger took the stage together and delivered a TED Talk in 2016, it elicited a lot of reactions. My TED talk, based on my personal experience of healing from violence, garnered over a million views in 3 days, and is currently at 9 million views (spring 2023). In October, Thordis Elva (thordiselva) and Tom Stranger captivated a TED Talk.

One ordinary spring morning Thordis Elva kisses her 3-year-old son and partner goodbye in Reykjavik. This talk was presented at an official TED conference. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR) This article is more than 6 years old. South Of Forgiveness order online from Donner. Tom Stranger is the co-author of 'South of Forgiveness.' Learn more. My 2015 lecture tour Permanently Naked: What you need to know about image-based sexual abuse attracted an audience of over 17,000 guests in three countries. 'South of Forgiveness,' by Thordis Elva and Tom Stranger. Personable, accessible, and compelling, South of Forgiveness is an intense and refreshing look at gendered violence, rape culture, personal responsibility, and the effect that patriarchal cultures have on both men and women.As a public speaker with nearly two decades experience, I've given keynotes, workshops, high-level webinars and speeches in three languages across the world on topics such as online safety, hate speech, gender equality and violence against women, particularly with regard to new technology. It is a true story about being bent but not broken, facing fear with courage, and finding hope even in the most wounded of places. South of Forgiveness is an unprecedented collaboration between a survivor and a perpetrator, each equally committed to exploring the darkest moment of their lives. Coming from opposite sides of the globe, they meet in the middle, in Cape Town, South Africa, a country that is no stranger to violence and the healing power of forgiveness.

Meanwhile, in Sydney, Australia, Tom Stranger nervously embarks on an equally life-changing journey to meet Thordis, wondering whether he is worthy of this milestone.Īfter exchanging hundreds of searingly honest emails over eight years, Thordis and Tom decided it was time to speak face to face. One ordinary spring morning in Reykjavik, Iceland, Thordis Elva kisses her son and partner goodbye before boarding a plane to do a remarkable thing: fly seven thousand miles to South Africa to confront the man who raped her when she was just sixteen.

South of Forgiveness by Thordis Elva