Background
This social simulation application developed in collaboration with the Army SHARP Academy, enables Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) and Victim Advocate (VA) students to practice processing an intake interview with digital-based victims in realistic and highly emotional scenarios, standardizing the role-playing experience. A “flight simulator” for SARCs and VAs, DIVIS provides the sets and reps necessary for professionals to gain confidence and hone the skills that provide the advocacy needed by victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault.
Objectives
DIVIS leverages existing ICT research technologies to help cultivate interpersonal communication skills, like rapport building and active listening, and sets out to improve upon classroom instruction by providing an engaging and interactive experience. SARC and VA trainees are able to use natural language to process a realistic and challenging intake interview with a “Digital Victim”; the sessions are recorded, and a semi-autonomous After-Action Review provides logged playback and assessment of the student’s verbal and non-verbal actions for facilitator lead evaluation.
Results
The DIVIS application consists of four Digital Victims, and is currently being used by the Army SHARP Academy at Fort Leavenworth as part of their 6-week SARC training program. ICT maintains a sustainment contract to continue to improve upon the existing system.
Next Steps
ICT is working with the Army SHARP Academy to support a path toward transitioning DIVIS as a training device for additional installations.
Published academic research papers are available here. For more information Contact Us