Too many young knife pullers active, this VR game points out the consequences to young people

The VR game is intended to be played in the classroom and in community centers. Participants of the game are presented with different scenarios that they have to respond to. “It also clearly shows the consequences,” says Siersma. “Young people think in the short term. If you can safely test different scenarios in the community center or at school, that’s good.”

In recent years, the possession of stabbing weapons among young people has increased enormously. Last year, the police arrested 1,268 young people up to the age of 17 for illegal possession of weapons. This also includes illegal fireworks. In 2019, the police only arrested 315 young people for this offence. Late last year reported the police arrest an average of three to four young people every day for illegal possession of weapons.

More awareness

A large number of organizations contributed to the realization of the game, which required around 200,000 euros. It is not expected that the game will immediately solve problems, but the initiators hope that it can give a boost to more awareness.

“We are not going to say that it will definitely work,” says Jowie Feddema. He helped with the realization of the game, because he knows what kind of trouble stabbing gun violence can bring. Earlier he told his story about it NH News. “We do hope that this can give young people an idea of ​​different situations that can arise. We hope that they learn from this, it is intended to make them aware of the actions they take.”

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15-year-old Jemairo from Zaandam also helped. “I had to record something for that, did a few dances. I liked it.” Fortunately, the student of the Trias VMBO in Krommenie is not bothered by the threat of knives in his own environment, but hears enough stories. His conviction: if it has to come down to fighting, then fight each other instead of fighting each other with knives. “I think it’s important that ‘group behinds’ or freshmen in high school see what the consequences can be if you pull a knife. Or if you don’t.”

Research

While using the game in classes, Lilian Linders does research. She is a lecturer in social work at InHolland and is curious about the impact of the project. “What exactly it does to young people, the awareness and whether they are ultimately less inclined to grab stabbing weapons.” If the game is proven to work, it can be distributed more easily. “It’s a world that we researchers don’t know up close. A game like this also helps, because you can get into the role of the target group a bit.”

There are already plans for a new VR game for young people. The subject of that game (think of gambling or sexting) is still being considered. Nikkie Siersma is satisfied for now: “I’m super proud, glad we can finally accelerate. The development of the game just took a long time. Now that it’s finally finished, I think it’s super cool.”