Stepping Into Their Shoes: VR for DFV Understanding

CatholicCare Social Services and the Toowoomba & Southwest QLD Family Law Pathways Networks invite you to join us for our local workshop 'Stepping Into Their Shoes: VR for DFV Understanding."

This workshop introduces professionals to the application of virtual reality (VR) in building capabilities to address domestic and family violence (DFV). With one in four Australian women experiencing DFV, there is a critical need for effective training methods.

Participants will engage with VR simulations co-designed with DFV survivors and other key stakeholders, providing an immersive and authentic learning experience. These simulations offer a safe, supported environment to develop and apply practical skills.

Key workshop components:

1. Hands-on VR experiences: Participants will step into realistic scenarios that replicate lived experiences of DFV.
2. Perspective-taking exercises: VR simulations designed to build empathy and challenge preconceived biases.
3. Facilitated reflective activities: Guided discussions to deepen understanding and integrate learning.

Research shows VR's effectiveness in nurturing empathy, developing procedural skills, and fostering positive, long-lasting attitudinal changes. By leveraging presence and agency, this workshop aims to enhance participants' knowledge, skills, and values related to DFV response.

This workshop offers an opportunity to deepen your understanding of lived experiences of DFV and refine your skills in supporting those affected by this critical issue.

This workshop is exclusively intended for professionals who work with separated families or work in the fields such as family law, support services and domestic violence.

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This workshop is facilitated by Dr Krystal Schaffer and Dr Sera Harris.  

Dr Krystal Schaffer is a lecturer in social work and human services at the University of Southern Queensland. She teaches coursework focused on family dynamics within the context of social work, emphasising topics related to domestic and family violence. Her work aims to equip future social workers with the skills and knowledge needed to support families in crisis and promote healthy, safe family environments. With over a decade of practice experience in social work and human services, Dr Schaffer has specialised in child protection and domestic and family violence. Her extensive background includes work in prevention, intervention, and therapeutic settings. Dr Schaffer's current research explores innovative educational methods, utilising immersive simulation and virtual reality to educate learners about domestic and family violence.

Dr Sera Harris is a social worker and academic. She has worked in the human services sector for over 20 years, working in areas such as youth work, homelessness and mental health and wellbeing. She has held various academic positions at the Australian Catholic University, Griffith University, University of Southern Queensland and is currently based at Western Sydney University. Sera's research areas of interest include simulation, field education and placements, and technology use in human services practice. She is currently working on a simulation-based training program for cultural responsiveness, led by Professor Bindi Bennett, which is funded by the Australian Research Council, as well as a special issue of a social work and welfare journal on simulation use in training and teaching.