Could Experiencing Catcalling Through VR Shift Men’s Perceptions of Gender-Based Violence?

At a Glance

VR simulations create authentic physiological responses that mirror real harassment situations, including racing hearts and feelings of being trapped.
Research shows measurable shifts in men’s attitudes toward harassment after experiencing catcalling through immersive VR technology.
Men report continuing to reflect on their VR harassment experiences days later, indicating lasting psychological impact.
Participants who previously dismissed catcalling as “just compliments” changed their perspective after experiencing it firsthand through VR.
VR experiences led to concrete behavioral changes, with men more likely to speak up when witnessing harassment.

The uncomfortable reality of street harassment is finding a new audience through virtual reality headsets. Men who’ve never been catcalled are suddenly walking in women’s shoes, and let me tell you, those shoes aren’t nearly as comfortable as they might’ve imagined.

When guys slip on those VR headsets, their brains actually respond as if they’re really on that street, with those voices calling out those uncomfortable comments. It’s wild how the technology tricks our minds—suddenly that heart starts racing, palms get sweaty, and that knot forms in the stomach that so many women know all too well.

Virtual reality doesn’t just simulate harassment—it recreates the racing heart, sweaty palms, and stomach-knotting fear women experience daily.

Researchers have found something pretty fascinating—these virtual experiences are changing minds. Similar to Stanford’s prosocial behavior study, participants show increased compassion and understanding that extends well beyond the virtual experience. Guys who thought catcalling was “just a compliment” are having serious light-bulb moments after experiencing the other side.

One participant told researchers, “I never realized how trapped you feel when someone bigger than you is blocking your path,” while another admitted, “I keep thinking about it days later, which I didn’t expect.” The emotional impact sticks around, making the lessons way more powerful than just watching a video or reading an article.

These VR experiences aren’t created in a vacuum, either. They’re carefully designed with input from real survivors, making sure the scenarios feel authentic without being unnecessarily traumatic.

The details matter—the way footsteps sound when following too closely, the feeling of being cornered, the helplessness of not knowing how a situation might escalate. It’s all crafted to create that “oh, now I get it” moment.

Educational institutions and workshops are increasingly adopting this technology, seeing measurable shifts in attitudes. During Festival Luce 2023 in Florence, approximately 70 people participated in the virtual experience, with men expressing sincere amazement at seeing harassment from a woman’s perspective. What’s particularly promising is how the experience translates to real-world behavior changes.

Men who’ve been through these simulations report catching themselves when they might have made someone uncomfortable and speaking up when witnessing harassment. Sometimes, walking a mile in someone else’s virtual shoes is exactly the perspective shift we need.

The research shows that head-mounted displays significantly increase the sense of presence compared to desktop VR, making the harassment scenarios feel more real and impactful for participants.

At a Glance

References