The training of the sort offered by Vantage Point – which was started by Mercer after she suffered episodes of sexual violence – places participants virtually in typical workplace scenarios like a meeting.

Within the simulation, they are then exposed to hypothetical examples of harassment – a leering comment on someone’s attire, an inappropriate touch – and supported with their responses.

Staff can be trained in three immersive models: learning how to identify sexual harassment, being educated in how to intervene if you witness harassment happening and, finally, instruction on how to respond if you’re on the receiving end of the behaviour.

Over 62% of women under 30 in the UK have experienced sexual harassment, a study found earlier this year – and in 90% of cases, a male perpetrator was responsible.

It’s the kind of statistic that virtual reality sexual harassment training is hoping to make obsolete, thanks to high retention rates of education delivered via the technology. Whereas e-learning resources completed on desktops, such as a Powerpoint, have a 79% information retention rate, VR training boasts a 90% chance of storing and applying the lessons learned.

VR creators in the UK: we’re waiting…

Images: Getty/Rawpixel

This tech could be the key to preventing sexual harassment at work