Staffordshire VR headset allows men to see through a woman's eyes
Users are able to see through a woman's eyes as she walks alone facing harassment
A VR headset which allows men to see through the eyes of a woman has been created in Staffordshire, to help raise awareness of violence against women and girls.
The VR app has been created by University of Staffordshire and TKO Consulting, inspired by former Stoke City footballer Meg Bowyer.
Meg works for TKO Consulting, which supports offenders after they're released from prison.
She said she's been subjected to sexual harassment whilst exercising: “Men would shout inappropriate comments as I ran past.
"If that was your mum, sister, wife, daughter or friend, you wouldn't like them having that shouted at them.
“So, I thought what can we do? I thought, if men can put on a VR headset and see through the eyes of a woman, that might make them understand how we feel."
Meg went on to say the VR app isn't about shaming men, but educating people.
She contacted the University just over 18 months ago, asking if they'd help create something which would challenge attitudes.
Since then, she's been working with Lecturer in Policing David Webb and Digital Education Officer Simran Cheema on the app.
How does it work?
Users put on a VR headset and step into the role of 'Zoe', a woman walking home alone.
The app plays out a realistic scenario whereby 'Zoe' has inappropriate comments shouted at her whilst being followed.
Because it’s immersive, participants “see through Zoe’s eyes”, so they can feel how quickly a normal walk home can become intimidating.
A trial
The app is being trialled with TKO Consulting, local schools, colleges and businesses.
Then it's hoped it'll be rolled out more widely.
It'll also be used in research and is hoped to be incorporated into teaching at the University.
One of the creators, Simran, said it could be used in training for policing students.
"For example, if a woman reported this type of situation, trainee officers might find that no clear offence has been committed." she said.
"However, experiencing the scenario could help students better understand how the behaviour affects the victim and encourage them to think carefully about how they respond."
The main aim
Creators say their immediate goal is to encourage meaningful discussions and allow people to experience the harassment that women do everyday.