Schools in Birmingham are using virtual reality (VR) to teach children about the impact of knife crime.
Students across the city were immersed in a realistic scenario and tasked with making decisions as the situation escalated.
The experience, called Virtual_Decisions: Knives, takes place in the city and uses interactive storytelling.
It was created by Round Midnight, an educational technology company.
Figures released last year showed 380 people under the age of 18 were arrested for knife offenses in 2021.
This was double the number five years earlier.
In the 12 months to May 2022, 836 children under the age of 16 were also victims of knife crimes in the region.
The VR experience has been delivered to over 15,000 children aged 11-14 and aims to challenge perceptions of the impact of knife crimes on individuals and their communities.
As part of the workshop, Adam Ahmed describes how a close family member nearly died after being stabbed in the chest eight years ago.
He said: “A lot of young people who commit certain offences, they are not criminals, they are just reacting to a situation where they are afraid.”
The program has now won the Innovation Award at the Education Awards 2023. The business has also received support and recognition from the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, the Home Office and Meta. Claire Downes, Director of Round Midnight, said: “Passionate about using technology and creativity to engage young people in meaningful learning experiences that can change their lives for the better.”
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