The incident in a virtual world reportedly left the under-16-year-old traumatised.

Police are investigating a virtual sexual assault of a girl’s avatar, the chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners has said.

Donna Jones said she had learned that a complaint was made in 2023, triggering a police inquiry.

The virtual incident did not result in physical harm but caused “psychological trauma”, the Daily Mail has reported a source as saying. Police chiefs have called on platforms to do more to protect their users.

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The impact of the attack on the girl’s avatar was said to be heightened because of the immersive nature of the VR experience.

  • @[email protected]English
    10•6 months ago

    It’s harassment. The game or platform should ban or punish the user. This should be protected under free speech. It’s still disgusting though.

    • Alien Nathan EdwardEnglish
      14•6 months ago

      why would sexually harassing children fall under free speech? I agree with you that it’s not assault, but even in the absence of assault this behavior wouldn’t be protected speech in real life and it shouldn’t be protected speech online

      • @[email protected]English
        -7•6 months ago

        It’s legally protected speech. In real life, you would get the shit knocked out of you, and rightfully so. In online, the most they can do is virtually beat them up or ban from the servers.

        Edit: it depends on the severity of it too iirc. Saying “nice tits” isn’t as severe as “I’m going to rape the shit out of you”

    • @DreamlandLividity
      9•6 months ago

      The game should ban the offender but I can’t not think involving the police is a bit ridiculous and waste of resources.