Virtual Reality for Prevention of Sexual Harassment Training
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Share PrintThis empathy-based virtual reality (VR) training experience takes place from the perspective of someone who is navigating a VA Medical Center and encounters sexual harassment along the way. The innovation was built as a direct response to reports of harassment, both from Veterans and employees. The VR experience teaches the impact and power of bystander intervention and discourages harassing behavior.
Origin:
April 2023, VA Immersive and VHA Assault and Harassment Prevention Office
Adoptions:
14 in-progress
Recent Updates
Overview
The problem
Sexual harassment in the workplace is an issue that makes it difficult for VA employees to perform their duties and for Veterans to receive care. It creates a hostile and intimidating environment that hinders professional and clinical development. All people, regardless of gender or age, can be subjected to sexual harassment, making it a widespread issue. Th
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Sexual harassment in the workplace is an issue that makes it difficult for VA employees to perform their duties and for Veterans to receive care. It creates a hostile and intimidating environment that hinders professional and clinical development. All people, regardless of gender or age, can be subjected to sexual harassment, making it a widespread issue. Though companies may have training modules in place to combat these behaviors, much of the information is difficult to retain through two-dimensional, observational learning. The modules are typically software-based computer programs and employees are able to click through the program without absorbing the content. This VR experience meets a specific need to create targeted sexual harassment content that is delivered through an engaging, effective medium.
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The solution
The collaboration between VHA Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning (OHIL)’s VA Immersive team and VHA AHPO presents targeted, empathy-based sexual harassment training content in a virtual reality setting. It offers an immersive and engaging experience proven to deliver results. The empathy-based training serves as a learning opportunity that seeks to
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The collaboration between VHA Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning (OHIL)’s VA Immersive team and VHA AHPO presents targeted, empathy-based sexual harassment training content in a virtual reality setting. It offers an immersive and engaging experience proven to deliver results. The empathy-based training serves as a learning opportunity that seeks to eliminate sexual harassment and sexual assault across the Department of Veterans Affairs by having staff and Veterans approach sexual harassment from a victim’s perspective.
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The results
The VR training is being tested at four VA Medical Centers. After testing, the medical centers will provide feedback on content through various stages of development before piloting the training with more staff at additional VA Medical Centers.
Metrics
- An efficacy study is currently in development and to begin in September.
Diffusion tracker
Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)
Implementation
Core Resources
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About
Origin story
As the Women Veterans Program Manager at the Atlanta VA Medical Center, Kathleen O’Loughlin constantly sought innovative ways to support the over 25,000 women Veterans under her care. Confronted with disturbing reports that one in four women faced harassment at VA Medical Centers, Kathleen recognized the need for a more effective training approach to counter
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As the Women Veterans Program Manager at the Atlanta VA Medical Center, Kathleen O’Loughlin constantly sought innovative ways to support the over 25,000 women Veterans under her care. Confronted with disturbing reports that one in four women faced harassment at VA Medical Centers, Kathleen recognized the need for a more effective training approach to counteract this pervasive issue. Leveraging her involvement in the XR Network and her collaboration with VA Immersive, she envisioned an empathy-driven VR solution. This training placed users directly in the shoes of those experiencing harassment, teaching the profound impact of bystander intervention.
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