Sexual Assault in the Metaverse

The Metaverse is a digital space where you can interact with other people and perform real-life functions using VR glasses and AR headsets.

The Metaverse is the next model of the Internet and thus, is powered by blockchain technology and its applications.

The Metaverse is not yet fully functional, but private communities, such as Meta, etc., are hosting some Metaverse spaces.

There have been many sexual harassment cases levied by men and women alike, some even done to minors, with the lion's share of complaints by women.

There have also been sexual harassment cases against AI, such as Apple’s Siri and Google’s Alexa.

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has added an automatic “Personal Branding” feature that allows users to activate a 1.2m bubble around themselves to hinder others from coming close.

It is left to be seen the consequence such an action would have on a measure would have on sexual harassment.

The tech space generally is constantly evolving, leading us to the “Metaverse” era.

Although it's not a new concept, as it has been in the works for more than 30 years, the Metaverse is recently just coming to the spotlight.

It is an upgrade on the interactive characteristics of social media, the connectivity of the Internet, and a melting pot for products of blockchain technology.

Let's delve fully into the Metaverse.

What Is The Metaverse?

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The Metaverse is a virtual environment where you can socialize with other people and perform real-life functions using VR (Virtual Reality) glasses and AR (Augmented Reality) headsets.

It represents a new and improved upward trajectory for technology and the Internet, primarily as it moves toward the Web 3 model.

Hence, the Metaverse is powered by blockchain technology and utilizes similar applications like cryptocurrency and NFTs, alongside next-level computing techs like VR, AR, and BCI (brain-computer interface).

The Metaverse enables improved social interaction, ensures an immersive experience, and provides new opportunities all-around.

Although it is not yet fully functional or massively adopted, some private companies have begun to launch their Metaverse communities.

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, recently launched their VR social media platform, Horizon Worlds. Similar to Minecraft, it is a digital space where up to 20 avatars can interact with each other.

From the de_script_ion, the Metaverse sounds and seems like a next-level virtual haven where unlimited opportunities lie, right?

On the one hand, it might be, but on the other hand, it is home to vile digital sexual harassment.

Let's examine it;

Sexual Assault in the Metaverse.

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One of the most significant feature of the Metaverse is the immersive experience it gives users. This virtual space was built so that it gives off a 360-degree feel.

Now picture being sexually harassed in the Metaverse, an environment where many activities are performed in real-time. It's as bad as the dastardly act was committed in real life.

There have been multiple reported cases of sexual harassment perpetrated in the Metaverse.

The following is a list of them:

Harassment against Nina Jane Patel

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Nina Jane Patel, a 43-year-old psychotherapist knowledgeable in the Metaverse, disclosed that she was sexually harassed on Meta’s VR platform, Horizon World, sometime in late 2021.

Shortly after logging in, she was encountered by 3-4 male avatars who verbally assaulted and gang-raped her avatar.

In her research capability, she revealed that many people shared tales of Metaverse harassment via online reviews of Horizon Worlds.

Harassment against Jordan Belami

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In 2016, a gamer with the pseudonym “Jordan Belamire” wrote an open letter on Medium detailing her sexual abuse on Quivr, a VR archery game.

In it, she described entering a multiplayer mode, where all avatars looked similar but had different voices. While prepping for a zombie attack, a user with a male voice, “BigBro442,” groped her, rubbing her chest and crotch. She cried out, but this didn't deter him, as he chased her around and continued harassing her.

Harassment against Artificial Intelligence (AI)

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According to a report by a specialist in Artificial Neural Network and Intelligence, Dr. Sheryl Brahnam, about 10 to 50 percent of AI interactions are offensive.

Most AI is encoded with female voices, as studies have shown they are more pleasant. Practical examples are Siri, Alexa, and Cortana.

There have been cases of some men verbally abusing them, promising to uninstall them, and setting roleplay scenarios.

Harassment against Minors

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A study carried out by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate showed that minors were also exposed to graphic sexual content (porn) and harassment.

As there is no barrier to entry in the Metaverse, many minors can partake in the games and risk sexual abuse by older men.

After all of these cases of sexual harassment were levied, some companies tried to set up measures to prevent them from re-occurring.

Measures Against Sexual Assault in the Metaverse.

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There have been a couple of measures against sexual assault in the Metaverse space.

They are:

Quivr’s Measure

The founders of the VR game Quivr, after being called out for the harassment against Jordan Belamire, provided an in-game fix. Avatars would be able to spread their arms into a “V” gesture, automatically shoving any delinquents away.

Meta’s Measure

Meta added a "Personal Boundary" feature to two of their VR products (Horizon Worlds and Horizon Venues) which enables users' avatars to create a 1.2m barrier (bubble) around them, against others. This allows you to regulate the way others interact with you in the Metaverse.

Conclusion

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Sexual harassment in the Metaverse is a severe offense. It is a direct breach of people's fundamental human rights, and it affects both old and young men and women.

However, “proving” that sexual harassment in the Metaverse even occurs can sometimes be a bit sketchy.

This is because most countries promulgate laws that require proof of actual physical damage to verify that a person has been sexually harrased. And since the Metaverse is a virtual space, there is no way physical harm can be gotten.

By and large, cases of sexual harassment don't bode well for the mass usage of the Metaverse. It is still in its early phase, and multiple cases of sexual harassment will discourage many people from venturing into it.

While the proposed “Personal Boundary” seems like a good plan, it remains to be seen how effective it will be moving forward.



Author: Valentine. A, Gate.io Researcher
This article represents only the researcher's views and does not constitute any investment suggestions.
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