Sexual Violence in Virtual Reality: A Scoping Review.
Carolyn M Porta, Ellen A Frerich, Sarah Hoffman and 3 others
PMID 38093420WHAT IT FOUND
Most studies involved college-age young adults, and online gaming sexual harassment rates ranged from 34.2% to 84.3%.
Nurses caring for sexual assault survivors may ask about online contact, gaming and VR.
Key findings
01The review included 47 articles, and 11 specifically tested VR as an intervention strategy; most studies recruited college-age young adults or adults.
02Rates of sexual harassment in online gaming ranged from 34.2% to 84.3%, and one study showed women received 11 times more sexual harassment comments than men.
03Fifteen participants, a quarter of whom were men, completed 12 VR exposure therapy sessions and had sustained positive improvements in PTSD and depressive symptoms at 3 months.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
This is a scoping review, not a clinical trial, so it does not show that any VR intervention works. Only 11 of the 47 included articles specifically tested VR as an intervention strategy. Most studies recruited college-age young adults or adults, and much original research was in North America, so results may not apply to other ages or settings. Definitions and measures varied, and the authors say consensus definitions, validated measures and VR-specific ethical standards are needed. Several VR studies were small, including a pilot with five women and an exposure therapy study with 15 participants, so they cannot establish benefit or safety. Some VR simulations included fear and resurfaced trauma, and the authors call for more carefully conducted research.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that VR interventions are proven to prevent sexual violence or treat PTSD. Only 11 of the 47 included articles tested VR, many involved college students, and a VR simulation piloted with five women included fear and resurfaced trauma.