Violence Against Women and Girls empathy Training

One in two women feel unsafe walking alone after dark in a busy public space

UK Office of National Statistics, 2023

CurfewVR is an empathy training tool exploring the fem experience of public spaces at night. CurfewVR uses virtual reality to invite users to step into our shoes as we travel through Birmingham at night. CurfewVR is built with the verbatim voices of 16-86 year-olds from our community, aiming to encourage victim-centred approaches to VAWG reduction.

"We want officers to truly understand the fear and vulnerability women face daily. This empathy-building exercise aims to equip them with the knowledge and skills to effectively respond to VAWG incidents and create safer spaces for everyone.”
Sergeant Christipher GallonMoseley and Kings Heath Neighbourhood Team
"It was a really interactive experience, better than any online training."
Moseley & Kings Heath Police Officer
"Invaluable"
Michael SandlandTransport Safety Officer Manager
"Fantastic experience. Absolutely essential for those who are in positions of power to understand the daily life experience of women & girls."
Kerry Jenkins Labour Councillor for Moseley Ward
"It made me think of my daughter... I see what she has to go through now."
Moseley & Kings Heath Police Officer
"It gave me a genuinely new viewpoint and made me think about what I take for granted."
Moseley & Kings Heath Police Officer
"I actually flinched in one scenario... I have been in that situation before."
Moseley & Kings Heath Police Officer
"I found the whole two day experience was better than if we had just the VR"
Transport Safety Officer
"I will be using everything I've learnt not just at work but also in my personal life"
Transport Safety Officer
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The Research & Development of CurfewVR was funded by Innovate UK. 

CurfewVR was piloted by West Midlands Combined Authority’s Transport Safety Officers, and the Moseley & Kings Heath Neighbourhood Policing Team. 

CurfewVR now exists as the cornerstone of our Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) empathy training programmes, which range from a comprehensive one-day workshop to tailor-made training programmes designed to suit the unique needs of your team. To learn more, email [email protected]. 

CurfewVR in practice: 

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands experiencing CurfewVR
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands
Kings Heath & Moseley Police Community Support Officer Experiencing Curfew VR
Kings Heath & Moseley Police Community Support Officer
Transport Safety Officers Experiencing CurfewVR
Birmingham Transport Safety Officers
Alex Claridge, Night Time Economy Adviser for the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) experiencing CurfewVR
Alex Claridge, Night Time Economy Adviser for the WMCA
Kings Heath & Moseley Police Officers experiencing CurfewVR
Kings Heath & Moseley Police Officers
Birmingham Transport Safety Officer
Birmingham Transport Safety Officer
People experiencing CurfewVR at the CurfewVR Premier at WMCA's Women's Safety Charter Launch
CurfewVR Premier at WMCA's Women's Safety Charter Launch
WMCA's Transport Safety Officer Experiencing CurfewVR
WMCA's Safer Travel Team
Kings Heath & Moseley Police Officer experiencing CurfewVR
Kings Heath & Moseley Police Officer
Transport Safety Officers Experiencing CurfewVR
Birmingham Transport Safety Officers
Councillor Kerry Jenkins for Moseley Ward Experiencing CurfewVR
Councillor Kerry Jenkins for Moseley Ward

CurfewVR was developed in partnership with: