Virtual Reality Therapy Model for Treatment of Mental Disorders Associated with Gender-Based Violence

Abstract

Over 35% of women experience some form of gender-based violence (GBV) in their lifetime, including intimate partner violence, rape, and more. This exposure can result in significant mental disorders within 1-5 years, manifesting as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety, among others, thereby affecting a staggering 58% of the world's population. The transformative power of Virtual Reality (VR) has been effectively used in treating various mental health disorders like addiction and phobias using methodologies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. However, while current VR strategies are inclined towards enabling violent offenders to empathize with the sufferers and reduce aggression, there is a noticeable gap in directly catering to the therapeutic needs of GBV victims. This paper seeks to bridge the gap by introducing a novel VR Therapy Model based on human-centered design process, exclusively tailored for the rehabilitation and support for the victims of GBV.