Four Students In Singapore Are Using Virtual Reality Simulations To Tackle Sexual Harassment

With all the sudden but much needed discourse surrounding sexual harassment, it has become quite clear that women across the world feel unsafe even in their own homes, offices, and educational institutions. In Singapore, it was Monica Baey who sparked the #MeToo movement by sharing her experience of being secretly filmed while showering in her dormitory. She felt the perpetrator got off too easy and was not held accountable enough for his actions. Sexual harassment and women’s safety has become a pressing concern in university campuses ever since. It has also inspired many more women in Singapore to speak up about what they’ve faced – especially as students. Monica Baey has also been given the ‘Woman Of Courage’ award by the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware).

To tackle the issue of sexual harassment which is rampant in university campuses, a virtual reality simulation has been developed. Project ‘Girl, Talk’ was started by four women – Danelia Chim, Seow Yun Rong, Heather Seet, and Dawn Kwan – and has introduced this simulation to prepare and equip young women against harassment.

“Even if you’re caught in a physically vulnerable situation, being able to evaluate your situation and make choices about how you behave and react can be incredibly empowering,” says the group on their website.

Virtual reality is being used to help girls deal with sexual harassment on campus, and Monica Baey approves https://t.co/anJQbhpQ7A pic.twitter.com/0tQuxRB3ig

— AsiaOne (@asiaonecom) February 21, 2020

This revolutionary virtual reality simulation consists of five scenarios that are acted out by their male friends and filmed. The goal is to prepare women better to face these possibilities, which we know have become quite common. Often when sexually harassed, abused, or cat called, we are caught off guard and do not know how to react. Incidents like these scare us into silence. According to a YouGov survey, over a quarter women in Singapore have experienced sexual harassment. However, only 56 per cent of these women reported these incidents. These statistics are shocking, becauae Singapore is considered one of the world’s safest cities.

We can only imagine how many more cases go unreported in a cities like Mumbai and Delhi. This simulation might definitely prove helpful for women and students everywhere. Additionally, it will also help more women speak out about their experiences and deal with them in the best way possible. Women like Monica Baey, as well as the creators of this virtual reality simulation serve as inspirations to all of us with their bravery.

We should all be proud of the girls for their bold step and the hard work that they’ve put into project ‘Girl, Talk’!

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