How A Video Game Is Being Use To Educate Students On Domestic Violence Issues


The Game Research and Immersive Design (GRID) unit at Rutgers Division of Continuing Studies teamed up with the Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance (VPVA) to create an interactive video game called “In Their Shoes.” The game puts players in the shoes of multiple characters who are in different types of abusive relationships.  

"We saw that students were more engaged with interactive learning," says Christie Howley, Director of the Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance (VPVA). To address this, the VPVA team is using a video game to educate students about the importance of domestic violence issues. The game can help break the stigma surrounding sexual and domestic violence.

Game Research and Immersive Design (GRID) supports the lifelong learning mission of the Rutgers Division of Continuing Studies by helping Rutgers instructors and students apply cutting-edge educational technology, including augmented and virtual reality, virtual labs, and game technologies, to expand outcomes in their classroom and online courses. 

The Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance is committed to creating a community free from violence. They provide services designed to raise awareness of and respond to the impact of interpersonal violence and other crimes. Through a combination of direct service, education, training, policy development, and consulting with the University and the broader community, they serve as a critical voice in changing prevailing beliefs and attitudes about violence.  

 

If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence issues, please call 848-932-1181.