Virtual Reality and Trauma-Informed Support: Preparing Survivors for the Legal Process
In this interview, we’re excited to talk to Rannveig Sigurvinsdóttir, an Associate Professor at Reykjavik University’s Department of Psychology. Rannveig has been deeply involved in the development of a virtual reality (VR) stress resilience program designed to support survivors of sexual violence. She’ll be sharing her insights at the upcoming VSE Annual Conference 2025 in Lisbon, where she’ll discuss how technology is being used to aid survivors.
We’ll explore how the VR courtroom works and how it helps survivors prepare for the emotional and psychological challenges of the legal process. Drawing on her research and experience, Rannveig shares how VR is being used in innovative ways to support survivors as they navigate the justice system.
Marina Kazakova, VSE: What inspired the development of the virtual reality stress resilience training program for survivors of sexual violence?
Rannveig Sigurvinsdóttir: The virtual reality (VR) courtroom was originally developed by computer science students at Reykjavík University, where I am based. This initiative marked the beginning of a collaborative effort to explore how VR technology could be used to support survivors of sexual violence. Motivated by a growing body of evidence, both our own and that of others, highlighting the challenges survivors face in navigating the justice system, our goal was to develop innovative tools that could provide meaningful support.
Our initial work began with a small pilot project conducted in 2020 and 2021. We recruited both survivors who had engaged with the justice system and those who had not. The findings from this pilot study indicated that participants felt the VR courtroom closely resembled the real-life courtroom experience. All of them reported that they would recommend the intervention to others, suggesting its perceived relevance and value. Participants also suggested valuable modifications to the VR courtroom. For example, in the pilot study, participants only briefly interacted with the judge and felt that practising cross-examination would be helpful as preparation.
Building on this foundation, and conversations and advice from experts in the field, we launched a larger-scale project in which survivors attend two sessions involving a mock trial in the VR environment, during which they recount their experiences. Data collection for this expanded study has been ongoing since the summer of 2025, and we look forward to sharing our findings with the broader community.
Marina Kazakova, VSE: Can you walk us through how the program works and what survivors experience during the sessions?
Rannveig Sigurvinsdóttir: In its current format, survivors attend two sessions in the VR courtroom. As part of an ongoing research project, we collect extensive data during these sessions, including questionnaire responses, interview data, and physiological measurements. The VR experience involves the use of a headset and headphones, immersing participants in a graded exposure process. This process begins with a simple virtual environment and gradually progresses to more complex and emotionally challenging scenarios.
The final stage of the VR experience places survivors in a simulated courtroom, where they respond to questions posed by a virtual judge, prosecutor, and defence attorney. These questions are adapted from real-life cases and ask participants to recount their experiences, describe their reactions, and reflect on the impact the violence had on their lives, effectively engaging in a mock trial. The questions we use come from real-life cases in the justice system to make the experience as realistic as possible.
It is common for survivors to experience emotional distress during this process, as discussing traumatic events can be deeply challenging. However, most report feeling a sense of relief in the post-session interview, describing the experience as emotionally difficult but ultimately beneficial.
Marina Kazakova, VSE: How does exposure therapy in a virtual courtroom setting help survivors prepare for the real-life legal process?
Rannveig Sigurvinsdóttir: We believe that the VR courtroom can be helpful to survivors by allowing them to prepare for the real-life court experience. In the context of VR, this involves visualising what the courtroom will look like and reducing uncertainty about what is likely to happen there. This is then related to survivors having a growing sense of control and empowerment, and feeling better in the environment.
As part of our work, two survivors have gone through the VR courtroom before going to court in real life. They agreed that the VR was helpful in preparing them and helped them control their emotional reaction when testifying.
(Figure taken from Antonsdottir et al., 2024).
Antonsdóttir, H. F., Jónsdóttir, E. K., Georgsdóttir, M. T., Þórisdóttir, M. Í., Skúladóttir, H., Konop, M., Cardenas, P., Vilhjálmsson, H. H., Ásgeirsdóttir, B. B., & Sigurvinsdóttir, R. (2024). Testifying in court: Virtual reality as a preparation strategy for survivors of sexual violence in Iceland. International Criminology, 4(1), 16-30.
Marina Kazakova, VSE: What feedback have you received from survivors who have undergone the VR training?
Rannveig Sigurvinsdóttir: The feedback from survivors has been overwhelmingly positive, both during the initial pilot stage and now with the more in-depth study. They feel that the VR courtroom helps them and should be offered to all survivors who would like to try it.
Marina Kazakova, VSE: What challenges did you face in designing and implementing this program, and how did you overcome them?
Rannveig Sigurvinsdóttir: Implementing a complex and interdisciplinary project of this nature is highly rewarding, but it also requires a significant investment of time and effort from collaborators, students, and research assistants. We were fortunate to receive funding from both the Icelandic Research Fund and the Icelandic Gender Equality Fund, which provided the necessary resources to bring the project to fruition.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented additional challenges, particularly in delivering an in-person intervention such as the VR courtroom. However, the current context has greatly improved, allowing for smoother implementation and broader participant access.
Marina Kazakova, VSE: How do you envision this technology being integrated into legal and support services on a larger scale?
Rannveig Sigurvinsdóttir: The VR courtroom has strong potential for broad implementation within survivor support services, particularly as a preparatory intervention prior to court proceedings. For instance, the Family Justice Centre in Reykjavík, which offers integrated services for survivors, could serve as an ideal setting to offer this type of support.
Notably, one unexpected outcome of our work has been the positive impact of the VR courtroom on survivors who do not intend to pursue legal action. Several participants have reported experiencing a sense of closure after completing the mock trial, suggesting that the intervention may offer therapeutic benefits beyond its original purpose.
Marina Kazakova, VSE: What further developments or innovations would you like to see in trauma-informed technology for survivors?
Rannveig Sigurvinsdóttir: Technology holds significant potential to address a wide range of needs experienced by survivors. This includes tools such as mobile applications that allow for secure documentation of abuse, digital platforms that provide clear and accessible information about available legal and healthcare services, and the use of AI-driven systems to offer guidance and support to survivors seeking assistance.
