Testifying in court: Virtual reality as a preparation strategy for survivors of sexual violence in Iceland

• In Event: Victim participation in criminal justice in Europe

Abstract

For survivors of sexual violence, testifying in court can be a stressful experience. For many survivors, preparation has shown to be of importance to improve this process and reduce feelings of secondary victimization. In this study we report findings from a research project in Iceland where survivors have been invited to explore the use of virtual reality (VR) as a preparation strategy for testifying in court. Here we explore how VR, as a preparation strategy, can facilitate survivors’ agency when testifying in court. The data consists of three studies where survivors of sexual violence in Iceland entered a VR courtroom and were subsequently interviewed regarding the VR experience. The results suggest that the VR experience evokes similar negative emotions as the real-life courtroom, and these might decrease with repeated exposures. The VR experience also appears to increase a sense of empowerment, control, and agency. The findings are presented within the framework of Konradi’s theory of witnesses’ agency in the criminal justice process.

Authors

• Hildur Fjóla Antonsdottir, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Akureyri, Iceland

• Margrét Tórshamar Georgsdóttir, Department of Psychology, Reykjavik University

• Malena Írisardóttir Þórisdóttir, Department of Psychology, Reykjavik University

• Hildur Skúladóttir, Department of Psychology, Reykjavik University

• Magdalena Konop, Department of Psychotherapy, Jagiellonian University Medical College

• Paola Cardenas, Department of Psychology, Reykjavik University

• Hannes Högni Vilhjálmsson, Department of Computer Science, Reykjavik University

• Bryndís Björk Ásgeirsdóttir, Reykjavik University

• Erla Katrín Jónsdóttir, Reykjavik University

• Rannveig Sigurvinsdottir, Reykjavik University