New VR headset created in Staffordshire to prevent women being harassed
It's the brainchild of a former Stoke City women's footballer
Former Stoke City footballer Meg Bowyer has teamed up with experts at the University of Staffordshire to create a virtual reality app to prevent women being attacked, harassed and cat-called by men.
“Men would shout inappropriate comments as I ran past,” Bowyer said. "If that was your mum, sister, wife, daughter or friend, you wouldn't like them having that shouted at them."
Meg Bowyer collaborated with David Webb, a lecturer in policing, and Simran Cheema, a digital education officer, over a period of 18 months to bring the app to life.
Immersive Experience through Virtual Reality
The app utilizes VR headsets to allow users to step into the shoes of Zoe, a woman experiencing typical harassment scenarios, including being followed and receiving inappropriate comments.
David Webb explained how virtual reality provides a safe environment to explore these situations firsthand, aiming to educate users about the behaviors women face regularly.
The app will initially be trialled by TKO Consulting along with local schools, colleges, and businesses before broader distribution.
Future Applications and Impact
Simran Cheema, who assisted in designing the app, emphasized the potential of VR technology in exploring various scenarios women encounter. The team plans to evaluate its impact through research and integrate it into teaching across university degree programs.
Cheema suggested that the technology could be valuable in training policing students, providing them with insight into the impact harassment has on victims, even if no clear offence is immediately evident.
The immediate goal is to spark meaningful discussions and promote a shift in perspectives towards harassment and violence against women.
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