Innovative Master’s Programme Aims to Train Future Leaders in Gender Violence Prevention

Virtual Reality Meets Education: Transforming How We Tackle Violence Against Women

Violence against women remains a deeply alarming global crisis, with millions affected by physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. Recent data from 2024-2025 reveals that one in three women has experienced violence, and over 51,000 were killed by family members or partners. This ongoing pattern of domestic violence, femicide, and digital harassment underscores the urgent need for effective interventions to protect vulnerable women and girls.

Education is a powerful tool to challenge the societal norms that enable gender-based violence. Swansea University’s pioneering master’s programme in gender, power, and violence integrates virtual reality (VR) technology to create immersive learning experiences that foster empathy and understanding. This innovative approach combines theory with real-world scenarios, preparing future professionals and policymakers to respond effectively and compassionately.

This first-of-its-kind course in Wales will offer students a deeper understanding of gender-based violence and its impact. By using VR headsets and other interactive tools, the programme aims to create immersive experiences that foster empathy and informed responses. With an estimated 3,000 crimes involving violence against women and girls recorded daily in Wales and England, initiatives like this highlight the importance of educational advancements in driving social change and effectively combating gender-based violence.

Senior lecturer Kelly Buckley, involved in developing the course, stated that public discussion on the issue has "never been louder." She emphasised the university’s commitment to using knowledge, evidence, and data to guide effective responses. Furthermore, she expressed hope that students will contribute to projects with real-world impact. The VR headset project may also be utilised in training student police officers, enabling them to hear a victim’s story and become more aware of subtle cues, such as body language and their reactions, which can influence a survivor’s willingness to speak openly. These VR scenarios have been developed using real experiences and input from abuse survivors.

Megan Salter, a 21-year-old postgraduate student who contributed to the project, explained that VR provides a safe, controlled environment for trainees to experience responding to domestic violence cases. She has worked closely with trainee officers to ensure their responses, shaped by the VR tool, support more effective strategies. To develop the VR headsets, Swansea University collaborated with the Simulation and Immersive Learning Centre, Dyfed-Powys Police, and Aberystwyth University. The technology will continue to be refined through the degree programme.

Johanna Robinson, Wales’ national adviser on violence against women and girls, has strongly supported the initiative, emphasising that abuse is complex and that professionals must be well-informed. She described the virtual reality tool as an excellent way to raise awareness and understanding. The National Police Chiefs Council has declared violence against women and girls a "national emergency," while the World Health Organisation has recognised it as a global public health pandemic.

Meanwhile, Susie Hay, head of research at Safe Lives, said ending domestic and sexual violence is like a tapestry made of many threads. She sees this course as an important part of that effort, but says it’s also important to consider the bigger picture. Although only a few students will graduate at first, she believes the course will have a wide-reaching impact across the country. This groundbreaking programme represents a vital step towards transforming education into a powerful tool for combating gender-based violence and fostering lasting societal change.

Editor’s Note:

The introduction of Swansea University’s master’s programme in gender, power, and violence marks a transformative step in addressing one of the most pressing social challenges of our time. As violence against women continues to escalate across the globe, the urgent need for innovative and effective solutions has never been more apparent. This course does not merely provide academic knowledge; it actively engages students in immersive learning through virtual reality (VR) technology, allowing them to understand the complexities of abuse from a survivor's perspective. Such experiential learning fosters empathy, sharpens critical thinking, and equips future professionals with the skills necessary to drive meaningful change. This programme has the potential to shift societal perceptions of gender-based violence, moving discussions beyond abstract statistics to real-world impact. By training police officers, policymakers, and advocates with VR-enhanced experiences, the course ensures that responses to violence are more informed, compassionate, and effective.

Skoobuzz firmly believes that while education alone cannot eradicate crime overnight, equipping individuals with the right knowledge and tools will play a vital role in reducing systemic failures and preventing violence at its roots. This programme represents not just an academic milestone but a profound commitment to changing lives and creating a safer, more equitable world for women and girls.