In Cambodia, one in three men admits to using violence against a partner. Even more troubling, only 8% of Cambodians know that domestic violence is a crime. To confront this, the NGO This Life Cambodia launched a bold initiative — using virtual reality to shift perceptions and spark conversations.
In 2021, they released a VR short film showing abuse through the eyes of the victim. Viewers wearing VR goggles could witness the terror and helplessness of a woman experiencing violence — even seeing a brother watch his sister being abused by her partner. The impact was immediate. The film reached 2.5 million people on social media, with thousands of comments, shared stories, and messages of support. Public figures from Australia and the U.S. joined the campaign, proving that VR could do more than entertain — it could build empathy and awareness.
A Parallel Effort in Wales
Meanwhile, in the UK, Swansea University is taking this idea further with a groundbreaking MA in Gender, Power and Violence — the first program of its kind in Wales. Led by Dr. Kelly Buckley, it merges feminist theory with cutting-edge technology like AI and VR.
“We’re looking at all forms of gender-based harm,” says Dr. Buckley, “from domestic abuse and sexual violence to tech-enabled abuse. But the key thing about the program is that it’s solution-focused.”
One of its most innovative tools is a VR headset training project. Developed by Dr. Sarah Wilde, it allows police officers to “step into the shoes” of survivors, viewing incidents from the victim’s perspective. Actors stage real scenarios, and officers experience them as if they were there — helping them respond with greater empathy and understanding.
Tech Meets Activism
Both This Life Cambodia and Swansea University demonstrate the same truth: innovation and compassion can collide to create change. Whether through a VR film that opens millions of eyes in Cambodia, or a university program training UK first responders, virtual reality is becoming an unexpected ally in the fight to end violence against women and girls.
