How we're using virtual reality to educate boys and young men

We want women and girls who live, work, socialise or study here in Warwickshire to be safe and to feel safe.

Whether they’re in public spaces, at home, at work, or online, they should never have to feel frightened, intimidated, or harassed.

We’ve always taken violence against women and girls (VAWG) seriously, but we know we need to do more, and we’re committed to doing exactly that.

So, as part of this commitment, we’ve been talking to boys and young men about how some of what they do and say can have a detrimental impact on members of the opposite sex.

Through this work, officers use virtual reality (VR) headsets to show educational films in schools, colleges and universities to highlight some of the negative experiences women and girls have.

Offering a fresh and immersive way to explore a challenging topic, the VR films shift the focus away from women’s safety and towards addressing male behaviours so they can understand the implications of their actions.

So far, we’ve reached around 750 school students, 150 college students, 120 university students and 150 people in the community, with the sessions sparking constructive debate and receiving positive feedback.

We also recognise the importance of raising our own professional standards as a police force, rooting out any predatory behaviour towards women, and making sure we have a supportive working environment that is safe, respectful and inclusive for all.

More than 300 student officers have had the training so far, while more than 350 other officers and staff using the VR headsets to view the films.

Detective Superintendent Jill Fowler said: “While the VR project represents significant progress in raising awareness and fostering empathy, it is just one step of many we’re taking as a force. We recognise this work is ongoing, and there is much more to be done by us, but by sparking meaningful conversations and encouraging reflection, we can start to drive cultural change to challenge things and normalise discussions on gender equality.”

Visit our website for more information on what we’re doing to tackle violence against women and girls as a force.

Issued: LM, Corporate Communications