Virtual reality (VR) headsets are being developed in Wales to help student police officers better support domestic violence victims.
The idea is that by hearing a victim’s story through the headset, the students can become more conscious about subtleties such as body language and how they respond.
The first of its kind, these VR tools to tackle violence against women will be created in a new course from Swansea University’s masters in gender, power and violence, starting in September.
A 21-year-old post-graduate student, Megan Salter helped develop the VR project and told the BBC the technology does a great job at allowing police officer trainees to experience “what it might be like to respond to a domestic violence case but in a safe environment”.
“It helps people notice things that they wouldn’t want to happen, both from the victim’s point of view and the police officers,” said Salter.
Salter has been working with trainees on the VR tool to ensure responses to victims are effective in addressing the country’s domestic violence problem. It’s estimated about 3,000 crimes of violence against women and girls are recorded everyday in Wales and England.
The data within the VR’s scenarios have been created based on input and experiences of real survivors of abuse or assault. The headsets will be developed further by Swansea University, which has worked with Simulation and Immersive Learning Centre, Dyfed-Powys Police and Aberystwyth University on their creation.
Welcoming the course’s creation to develop the VR, Johanna Robinson, Wales’ national advisor on violence against women and girls said “the dynamics of abuse are layered and complex and it is vitally important that people working with victims and survivors are fully informed”.
“The virtual reality tool is an excellent way of raising awareness and understanding,” said Robinson.
Virtual reality has emerged in recent years as a promising tool for many areas of police officer training, with research showing that simulated scenarios can be effective in de-escalation training and showing psychophysiological impact on users.
Family and domestic violence is a crisis in Australia, but many incidents go unreported to police for various reasons, including a fear from victim survivors that they won’t be believed or not wanting to enter the legal process.
A 2021 report by the NSW Council of Social Service and other peak bodies revealed 60 per cent of domestic violence victim survivors don’t go to police.
On average, one woman is killed every nine days by a current or former partner in Australia. Two in five women have experienced violence since the age of 15, and men are more commonly the perpetrators of physical violence, sexual harassment and sexual violence.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au.
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.