VRperGENERE
Virtual Reality Prevention of Gender Violence in Europe based on Neuroscience of Embodiment, Perspective and Empathy
VRperGENERE develops and evaluates immersive virtual-reality interventions to prevent intimate partner violence (IPV) and promote behavioural change. The project is grounded in neuroscience research showing that embodiment and perspective-taking can increase empathy, emotional understanding and prosocial behaviour.
The project applies VR technology to three complementary prevention pathways: promoting empathy and helping behaviour in the general population; empowering young women to recognise and respond to psychological abuse; and reducing recidivism among perpetrators through rehabilitation-oriented immersive experiences.
Why it matters — VRperGENERE
VRperGENERE introduces a scientifically grounded and innovative approach to preventing intimate partner violence by combining virtual reality technology with neuroscience-based insights on empathy and behaviour change. By using immersive, perspective-taking experiences, the project promotes empathy in the general population, empowers young women to recognise psychological abuse, and supports rehabilitation-oriented interventions to reduce recidivism among perpetrators. In doing so, VRperGENERE advances evidence-based, scalable and effective solutions for gender-based violence prevention across Europe.
Core Objectives
- Promote behavioural and attitudinal change through immersive empathy-based VR experiences.
- Reduce recidivism among perpetrators through rehabilitation-oriented VR interventions.
- Increase recognition of psychological abuse and support healthy relationship behaviours.
- Generate scientific evidence on the effectiveness of VR-based violence prevention tools.
Key Actions
- Development of immersive VR scenarios addressing IPV dynamics.
- Implementation of VR interventions for prevention and rehabilitation.
- Evaluation of empathy, behaviour and attitudinal change.
- Dissemination of innovative prevention approaches.
Outputs
The project’s scientific outputs are listed under Key Publications.
