Child Protection
ROLE
Lead Programmer, Researcher
BRIEF
This research project investigates the potential of virtual reality (VR) to promote child safety in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV). The study was conducted by a team of researchers from Goldsmiths, University of London and Zurich University of Applied Sciences. The aim of the study was to explore whether VR could increase empathy and child-protective decision-making among participants who witnessed a simulated IPV scenario from a child's perspective. We developed a VR scenario that allowed participants to experience IPV from a child's point of view, using motion capture technology to enhance the realism of the simulation.
YEAR
2022
PLATFORM
Oculus Quest
LENGTH OF DEVELOPMENT
3 Months
DESCRIPTION
This research project, a collaboration between Goldsmiths, University of London and Zurich University of Applied Sciences, explored the impact of VR exposure to domestic violence on social workers' decision-making. Witnessing IPV can have long-lasting negative effects on children, and professionals often overlook this aspect.
The objective of the study was to determine if VR could enhance empathy and child-protective decision-making among participants witnessing a simulated IPV scenario from a child's perspective. The team developed a realistic VR scenario, allowing participants to experience IPV from the child's point of view.
The study demonstrated that VR has the potential to increase situational empathy for children and encourage more child safety-oriented decisions. However, limitations such as small sample size and an abstract vignette impacted the results.
Currently, the researchers are conducting a larger scale study with social workers, incorporating an expanded vignette that closely reflects case information in the VR scenarios.
In conclusion, this research underlines the potential advantages of using VR to promote child safety in IPV situations. Future studies should investigate integrating this technology into training programs for social workers and other professionals working with children.
Technical Implementation
Scene Building
For this Project, '3d Scanner App' based on the iPad pro with an optical radar camera was used to scan the target scene and then rebuild this scenario in unity.
Character Animation
Using motion capture to record body movement animations, And in post, import these animation files into unity to complete the virtual character animation by using timeline and avatar mask.
Virtual Embodiment
In pursuit of the best immersion in the body, the user is given the authority to control the body to build a relationship with the avatar to develop the embodiment illusion.
