Virtual reality plan to help trainee police tackle violence

Virtual reality plan to help trainee police tackle violence

A unique university program in Wales is taking a groundbreaking approach to address violence against women by incorporating virtual reality technology. Swansea University will introduce a master’s course in gender, power, and violence, starting in September, which will include projects involving VR headsets. The initiative comes in response to the alarming statistics showing approximately 3,000 cases of violence against women and girls are reported each day in Wales and England.

Johanna Robinson, the national adviser on violence against women and girls in Wales, commended the introduction of the course, emphasizing the importance of understanding the complex dynamics of abuse. With the National Police Chiefs Council declaring violence against women and girls a “national emergency” and the World Health Organization labeling it a global public health pandemic, there is growing awareness of the urgency to address this critical issue.

The use of VR headsets in the program aims to provide a unique training experience for student police officers by immersing them in scenarios based on real-life experiences of survivors of abuse. Megan Salter, a post-graduate student involved in developing the project, highlighted the importance of recognizing subtle cues that can have a significant impact on how officers respond to victims. The collaboration between Swansea University, Simulation and Immersive Learning Centre, Dyfed-Powys Police, and Aberystwyth University underscores the commitment to creating innovative solutions to combat violence against women.

Kelly Buckley, a senior lecturer instrumental in the course’s creation, stressed the need for practical projects that yield tangible results in the fight against violence. As the UK government pledges to halve incidents of violence against women and girls within a decade, initiatives like the master’s degree program at Swansea University offer a promising step towards achieving this goal. With collaboration from experts like Susie Hay from Safe Lives, the course aims to have a ripple effect across the country, contributing to a comprehensive approach to ending domestic and sexual violence

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