Computer-generated images are used (Picture: Shutterstock) <\/p>\n
Suspected paedophiles at a maximum security mental health facility are shown virtual reality images of child abuse and pornography. <\/p>\n
The controversial practice is used to determine the individuals arousal when viewing the material, and researchers claim it can predict whether they are threats to the public. <\/p>\n
People admitted to the Institut Philippe-Pinel hospital in Montreal, Canada, sit with devices placed on their penises to measure arousal, and wear glasses that simulate virtual reality. <\/p>\n
Patients rapists, paedophiles and sexual deviants are shown computer-generated images of naked children, and an eye-tracking device means they cannot look away. <\/p>\n
Patrice Renaud, who leads the project, told The Guardian: We do develop pornography, but these images and animations are not used for the pleasure of the patient but to assess them. <\/p>\n
The project determines the patients sexual preference, which is then used by a court to rule whether they pose a risk to the public or not. <\/p>\n
Mr Renaud said: You can have someone who molested a child once but is not a paedophile as such they may have been intoxicated or have another mental health disorder. <\/p>\n
If we find that the guy is attracted to children and doesnt feel empathy for the fact that the child is in pain, thats good information for predicting behaviour. <\/p>\n
The experiment takes place and the material created must be encrypted and stored in a secure computer network minimising the chance it could spread outside the hospital. <\/p>\n
It is also under intense scrutiny from ethical committees and the police. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Continued here:<\/p>\n
Virtual reality is being used to show naked images to paedophiles - Metro<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Computer-generated images are used (Picture: Shutterstock) Suspected paedophiles at a maximum security mental health facility are shown virtual reality images of child abuse and pornography. Continue reading