Meanwhile, the UK police are investigating the gang rape case of a 16-year-old in the metaverse. It is believed to be the first time a virtual sexual offence is being investigated by the police. As per reports, the victim was wearing a virtual reality headset in an immersive game when her avatar, an animated representation of her, was gang raped by several male avatars.
Although the girl did not sustain any physical injury during the attack, the investigating officer said that the victim had suffered the same emotional and psychological trauma as a rape victim in the real world. As of now, it remains unclear which game the teenage girl was playing at the time of the alleged offence. The probe, however, has raised many questions.
Questions about whether the police should be... pursuing virtual offenses. That is given the fact that in the real world, police and prosecutors are currently struggling with an enormous backlog of rape cases. Experts also believe that it might be impossible to prosecute the perpetrators under existing laws that define find sexual assault in physical terms.
The UK Home Secretary James Cleverley has defended the virtual reality rape probe, saying, and I quote, It's worth realising that somebody who is willing to put a child through a trauma like that, digitally, may well be someone that could go on to do terrible things in the physical realm. Do note that prosecuting the perpetrators in this case might be an uphill task. As per the existing law, sexual assault is defined as a physical touch in a sexual manner without consent. We on World is One is now available in your country. Download the app now and get all the news updates on the move.