Growing Concerns Over Abuse and Assault in the Metaverse
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Attacks, harassment, and sexual assault are happening in the metaverse and virtual reality platforms. These incidents can cause real psychological trauma, triggering "fight or flight" responses.
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As the metaverse grows, so do reports of abuse. Activists argue these should be treated as real crimes, and authorities are starting to pay attention.
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Laws around rape, assault, and harassment generally require physical incidents, so prosecuting virtual offenses would likely require updating legal definitions and precedents.
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The immersive nature of VR can make harassment feel vividly real. Researchers say attackers touching avatars can make victims feel their actual bodies were violated.
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More research is needed to understand impacts before virtual offenses are criminalized. But many argue the situation is urgent and protocols must be developed to address metaverse dangers.