From Virtual Rape to Meta-rape: Sexual Violence, Criminal Law and the Metaverse

As the metaverse blurs the lines between physical and virtual realms, enhanced by haptic devices providing sensory feedback, it is poised to become integral to daily life. However, this new digital frontier is also a site for sexual violence. Women users increasingly report non-consensual touching, image-based sexual abuses and novel forms of gendered harm, often trivialised and inadequately addressed by current laws. Accordingly, this article proposes the new concept and terminology of 'meta-rape' to better capture the intense and embodied nature of these forms of sexual violence. We also provide a new categorisation of experiences of sexual harassment and abuse in the metaverse, together with a comprehensive analysis of the role and application of criminal law in tackling meta-rape. We suggest, contrary to conventional approaches, that current criminal laws could apply to some forms of meta-rape. We also propose strengthening and future-proofing criminal law, with laws proscribing intimate intrusions. By reframing our understanding of meta-rape, we aim to address the prevalence and impact of these gendered and sexualised harms, providing robust avenues for victim redress and promoting safety and autonomy in emerging virtual spaces.