Police are investigating a virtual sexual assault of a girl’s avatar, the chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners has said.
Donna Jones said she had learned that a complaint was made in 2023, triggering a police inquiry.
The virtual incident did not result in physical harm but caused “psychological trauma”, the Daily Mail has reported a source as saying. Police chiefs have called on platforms to do more to protect their users.
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The impact of the attack on the girl’s avatar was said to be heightened because of the immersive nature of the VR experience.
I’m not saying it’s rape. The article even states it’s not considered actual rape because according to the laws where this is being applied, there needs to be a physical contact.
But it sure as hell is sexual harassment, which is a form of abuse. Furthermore it was done to an underage victim, which makes it even worse. It’s perfectly acceptable to involve the police to investigate and file a complaint against the agressors.