Nina Jane Patel, a researcher and technology abuse expert, experienced virtual harassment in a VR platform within 60 seconds of entering. Her avatar was groped while assailants shouted racist and sexual slurs. Despite becoming a global voice for virtual safety, no legal justice has been achieved, highlighting critical gaps in virtual environment protections.

The CyberDIVA Conference brings together practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and law enforcement to examine how gender-based abuse operates across open and hidden digital environments — and what coordinated, evidence-led responses look like in practice. Free to attend. 25 February 2026, Conference Aston, Birmingham.