As we step into the immersive world of the metaverse, we're greeted with endless possibilities and experiences beyond our wildest imaginations. Climbing mountains, running with wolves, and wandering the streets of ancient Rome, virtual reality (VR) already offers us moments we couldn't otherwise imagine in such detail. But amidst the allure of these magical virtual realms lies a dark reality that we cannot afford to ignore: the dangers of sexual assault in digital spaces.

It might be easy to assume that experiences in VR are harmless fantasies, void of real-life consequences. After all, avatars interacting on a computer screen can appear cartoon-like, especially for those with little VR experience.

However, research suggests otherwise. First, when wearing haptic (tactile) technology, avatars' onscreen interactions translate into real body sensations for the viewer. When these interactions occur in VR, the experience becomes 3D. Further, studies have shown that the brain learns in VR, triggering similar emotional and physiological responses as real-world events. The impact of sexual assault is one example.

Gaming or socializing in VR may be so innovative as to disarm a potential victim. Thus, victims may struggle to recognize or respond to a virtual assault as it is........

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